Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez is asking the public for help in making sure all who need to register to vote or get a ballot while in assisted living facilities, nursing homes or hospitals does so.
Since COVID-19, regulations implemented at these facilities have stopped admitting visitors for the health and safety of elderly residents.
So that includes team members on the countyβs special elections board, explained Rodriguez in a news release. Prior to the pandemic, the team members would go to the facilities to assist the voter in receiving, voting and returning their ballot.
There are cases where people are temporarily staying in facilities and are not able to get to their polling place or receive mail, said Rodriguez.
Since special elections board team members no longer are allowed to enter the facilities, Rodriguez is asking help from family members or friends of residents.
βWe need the publicβs help in making certain their friends and family members in those facilities are properly registered to vote and able to get access to a ballot,β said Rodriguez.
The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 5 to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 3 general election. The county Recorderβs Office has contacted almost 200 nursing homes, assisted living and rehabilitation facilities in an attempt to register residents who want to vote. Not all facilities have responded, said Rodriguez.
She said if family or friends of residents in facilities know that their loved one wants to receive a ballot, they can call the Recorderβs Office at 724-4330 and give the name and location of the facility so necessary arrangements can be made for the resident to receive a ballot.
βThis is a critical election at both the national and local level. Every eligible voter who wishes to participate should be allowed to do so in a safe fashion,β said Rodriguez. βNow is the time to start the process for the voters who are confined in the medical facilities. Donβt wait until the last minute.β
Photos: 2020 Primary Election in Pima and Maricopa counties
Primary Election in Pima County
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An elections worker looks over a few of the early primary ballots at one of the scanning stations during counting at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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A pair of elections workers look over an early primary ballot as part of the counting process at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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Elections workers feed primary ballots in to scanners at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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A poll worker waits inside the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
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Brad Nelson, left, Pima County elections director, helps Lisa Matthews, Pima County election marshal, put up a βWelcome Votersβ sign after it was blown down outside of the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
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After voting, a voter walks back to their car at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
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A voter walks by a polling sign outside the Armory Park Center located at 220 S 5th Avenue during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
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Voters enter the Tucson Estates Multi-Purpose Hall located at 5900 W Western Way Circle, on Aug. 4, 2020.
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Gilbert Silva walks through the parking lot of the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road to cast his vote during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
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A poll worker (right) takes a completed ballot from a voter at the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
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After placing their vote, a voter starts to place their "I Voted" sticker on their shirt as they leave the Pima County voting site at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
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A poll worker wearing a face shield, mask and gloves walks outside to check if anyone needs assistance at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
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A voters arrives at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz to drop off their voting ballot on August 4, 2020.
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A voter leaves the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020. Photo by Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Primary Election in Maricopa County
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A portrait of Ashlee King after she voted, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado polling place, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe.
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Anita Cota-Soto washes her hands before voting, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe. Cota-Soto is a Town of Guadalupe councilmember running for re-election.
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Voting marshal Gerry Lamanski checks his watch before announcing the polls are open, August 4, 2020, at the Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe.
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People vote on Election Day at Nueva Vida Church in Scottsdale on Aug. 4, 2020.
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Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic candidates for the primary election Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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A voter wearing a face covering exits a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates, as a polling station workers opens the door for voters Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
