Election leaders urge, but will not require, voters to wear masks
LIBERTY – Election leaders in Clay and Ray counties said they plan to safeguard the public against COVID-19 during the primary elections Tuesday, but they will not require voters to wear masks.
CLAY COUNTY
Although there is a public health mandate to wear masks in public in Clay County, election officials in neither county will require masks for those exercising the right to vote.
“Our poll workers will be required to wear masks,” County Democratic Election Director Tiffany Francis said, and voters will be urged to wear masks. The county will not provide masks for the public.
“We’re not going to turn anyone away from voting,” she said. “We’re going to put the notice up that there is a mandate in the county to wear a mask, but if they come in without a mask, we can’t take away their right to vote, so we will just try to get them through as quickly as possible.”
Francis said she recognizes those who refuse to wear a mask could represent a health hazard for themselves and others.
“There…