(Emilie Ritter Saunders / Boise State Public Radio)

In the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, voting and elections may not be top of mind for many people. But if you want to vote in the May 19 primary, it’s something you should be thinking about.

With uncertainty around the future of social distancing and isolation orders, the best bet to ensure you’ll be able to vote in the upcoming election is to do it by absentee ballot. 

 

State and county election officials want as many people to vote early — and safely — by mail. The state has not decided yet whether in-person polling places will be closed. Instead, they’re asking as many people to vote absentee ahead of the primary as possible.

 

“We’re trying to push that right now while other decisions are being made in terms of the longterm impact of what happens with the May 19th election," said Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane on Idaho Matters.

 

Besides wanting to keep the public safe as the virus spreads, he’s thinking about how to protect the people who under normal circumstances would be running the polls in the Treasure Valley. 

 

He says the median age of the poll workers in Ada County is 69. Since we know older folks are particularly susceptible to COVID-19, McGrane says he’s thinking about big and small solutions to the problem. 

 

“We just ordered 50,000 peel and stick envelopes so that for our employees, we don’t have voters licking their envelopes and sending them back to us.” 

 

But after the coronavirus crisis is over, McGrane doesn’t think the state will adopt vote-by-mail as the new standard. 

 

You can request your absentee ballot — and register to vote for the May 19 primary — by going to the state election site. 

 

As COVID-19 cases spread through the U.S. and Idaho, we’re committed to keeping you updated and informed. You can get updated info on cases, closures and how to stay healthy at any time on our Coronavirus news blog.

 

 

Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet @KBSX915 using #IdahoMatters

 

Member support is what makes local COVID-19 reporting possible. Support this coverage here.