Keeping healthy at the polls

WILLIAMSBURG, Va - "I am very excited to vote tomorrow," says Rebecca, a voter in Williamsburg.

In just a few hours Rebecca and her friend Elizabeth will be one of thousands at the polls in Hampton Roads.

"It's absolutely an important vote. Everyone should get out and do it," says Elizabeth.

They say a fear of germs will not stop them from casting their vote.

"I carry hand sanitizer, so it doesn't matter to me. Whatever I touch it doesn't bother me. I'll just clean my hands as soon as I leave," says Rebecca.

James City County registrar AJ Cole tells WAVY.com there is no need for anyone to worry at the polls. He says most polling teams are ready for anything, from a power outage to the flu.

"We're sending out plenty of bottles of hand sanitizer for polling place officers to use and also included this time around, we've added a sign that they can put at the poll book tables to let the citizens know the stuff is there from them to use as well," Cole said. "The chiefs have an extra large bottle at their table which was provided through an agreement with the state board of elections and the state health department which was delivered to us. We're also providing disinfectant wipes, so our officers can wipe down surfaces and stuff after several voters have gone through to try and prevent the spread of bacteria at least."

However, officials know you'll need more than just sanitizer to prevent possibly spreading the flu; so, they got creative.

"On our touch screens we have created a chain with a stylus so people can use that rather than using their fingers on the touch screen to minimize their hand contact and then after every voter use of that we'll sanitize the stylus itself," says Cole.

Cole says the voting machines stand tested and ready, now he wants to make sure you're just as prepared.

"What they should bring to the polls is an ID, preferably a voter ID card if they have it or if they still have it. If they don't have it they can bring a drivers license or any other state issued ID."

You can forget searching for your name on a long paper list. This year in many precincts, including those in James City County, you'll see electronic poll books.

"You can see how fast it is," says Cole as he demonstrates how the poll book works.

With a scan of your ID, your information pops up on the electronic poll book and you're ready to vote. Cole says the keys to a successful vote include being fast, accurate, and healthy.

"We have a lot of dedicated voters in James City County and we're hoping they all show up tomorrow."

If you think you have the flu, officials recommend you stay home, but they encourage you to know the difference between the aches and pains of the flu and the common cold. It's important for you to exercise your right to vote.