KNOXVILLE, Tenn — While people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should not go to their normal voting location on Election Day, state officials don't want to impede them from casting their ballot.
State election officials have instructed all county election commissions that they can accommodate those voters at an alternate location, usually the election commission office, with specific guidelines in place.
They recommend the location be outside, weather permitting, or at a location close to the election commission office. Four election officials, with representation from both parties, must be present. All election officials must wear PPE including face mask, shield, gloves and gown, and it must be discarded after each voter. Disposable, single-use pens must be available for each voter.
The process went smoothly during the August election, according to Julia Bruck, Director of Communications for the Office of Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.
In Knox County, there is a three-step process for people who have tested positive or are showing symptoms.
Step one: Call the Knox County Election Commission at 865-215-2480. The Election Commission will be open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Election Day. Callers will need to provide full name, date of birth, and address so the necessary paperwork can be prepared for the voter's ballot.
Step two: The voter will then be directed to the Knox County Health Department, 140 Dameron Avenue, to cast his/her ballot. Signage will be posted at the health department instructing voters where to go. Voters cannot show up at the Health Department to vote without first contacting the Election Commission, as the voter’s information will need to be confirmed before visiting the voting site.
Step three: Staff from the Knox County Health Department and Election workers from the Knox County Election Commission will assist voters in the casting of their ballots. COVID-19 safety precautions and processes developed in conjunction with the Knox County Health Department will be utilized. This polling location will be open from 8 am to 8 pm on Tuesday, November 3rd.
All other voters must vote at their appropriate Election Day polling location.
Here's the COVID-19 designated voting information for other counties:
Anderson
Call the election commission at (865) 457-6238 for accommodation
Blount
Vote at the Blount Co. Courthouse: 928 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37804
Campbell
Call the election commission at (423) 562-9777 for accommodation
Claiborne
Voters will cast a provisional ballot at their regular precinct
Cocke
Call the election commission at (423) 623-2042 to notify of your arrival, then will vote at the commission office: 360 E. Main Street, Courthouse Annex, Room 130 Newport, TN 37821
Cumberland
Vote in the parking lot of 2 S Main Street
Fentress
Vote at the election office at 111 N North Street
Grainger
Call election commission office at (865) 828-5132 for accommodations
Hamblen
Vote at the courthouse: 508 W 2nd N St, Morristown, TN 37814
Hancock
Call (423)-733-4549 to receive voting directions
Hawkins
Come to the election office: 2nd floor, Courthouse Annex, 110 East Main Street, Room 301, Rogersville, TN 37857. Call the office at (423) 272-8061 beforehand
Jefferson
Call the election commission office at (865) 397-3440 for accommodations
Loudon
Call office at (865) 458-2560, then vote at 100 River Rd # 108, Loudon, TN 37774
McMinn
Voting at the courthouse: 6 E Madison Ave, Athens, TN 37303, call (423) 745-0843 beforehand
Meigs
First, voters must go to your regular precinct and let the traffic controller know. Then they will notify the courthouse. A tent is set up at the courthouse: 17214 TN-58, Decatur, TN 37322
Monroe
Call the election commission at (423) 442-2461 beforehand to notify you're coming, then you will go to the election commission office to vote at 401 Main St, Madisonville, TN 37354
Morgan
Vote at the election commission office: 415 North Kingston Street, Wartburg, Tennessee 37887, call (423) 346-3190 beforehand if coming
Roane
Call COVID hotline phone number at 865-466-6120, then voters will be directed where to go
Scott
Call the election commission at (423) 663-3210 for accommodations
Sevier
Call the election commission at (865) 453-6985 for accommodations
Union
Call the election commission at (865) 453-6985 for accommodations
FOR ALL KENTUCKY COUNTIES:
- The voter must call the election commission and request a medical emergency ballot.
- A proxy will pick up the ballot and return it to the voter.
- The proxy then returns the ballot to the voter for the voter to fill out the ballot.
- The proxy returns the completed ballot to the proper location.