HRC seeks assurance for isolated voters
(CNS): Supervisor of Elections Wesley Howell has said that he and his team are “optimistic” they can make sure that all registered voters who are in quarantine at the time of the elections will be able to cast their ballot. Given public concerns that being in isolation could present a barrier to that democratic right, the Human Rights Commission released a statement this week saying that it had been communicating with the Elections Office about this issue and that plans should be in place.
Given the risk that registered voters could be disenfranchised because of the mandatory quarantine protocols, the HRC stated that there was no legal basis or justification for this and it was up to officials to find a way to ensure that those affected can still vote.
In a release from the office on Friday, Howell said, “The safety and well-being of electors, Election Office staff and the general community is a critical consideration. We are optimistic that we will be able to implement acceptable public health protocols that would allow specially trained election workers in suitable personal protective equipment to poll individuals in isolation or quarantine through the already established mobile voting provision.”
The office reminded voters who are not isolating or quarantining but are still unable to cast their ballot in person at a polling station on Election Day to apply for postal voting if they will be off-island or mobile voting if they will be on-island.
Electors who will be or are likely to be off-island on Election Day are encouraged to apply for postal voting. Applications are being accepted and the first dispatch of postal ballots will be on or before 11 March. The deadline for postal voting applications is 6 April.
Mobile voting applications are being accepted for electors who will be on-island but are unable or are likely to be unable to go in person to the polling station on Election Day. You may qualify for mobile voting if:
- You are or are likely to be in a hospital, rest home or other similar institution on Election Day or because you are a geriatric at home
- You are blind or have any other physical incapacity and are unable to go in person to the polling station or unable to go unaided
- You are unable to go in person to the polling station because of the general nature of your occupation, service or employment
- You are working on Election Day (e.g. polling staff, police, medical personnel etc.)
The deadline for mobile voting applications is also 6 April.
Postal and mobile voting application forms are available via the Elections Office website and can be emailed to office@elections.ky or delivered in person to the Elections Office.
Individuals seeking nominations are reminded that it is an offence for a candidate or the agent of a candidate to fill out or witness a mobile or postal voting application form.
Category: Election News
Optimistic that the constitution may be followed? Wow, sounds promising.