Primary Day 2022 is the first step in making things better. It’s your opportunity to have a voice in how things are run.

To be able to do that, though, you need to make sure that you can safely vote. That’s not usually a problem, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve had to make some changes to how we vote. Even now with case counts down and many people thinking the pandemic is over, you still can be exposed to COVID-19.

Here’s how you can protect yourself and others if you’ll be voting in person.

Before you head to the polls

Before heading to the polls, make sure that you’re ready. It’s possible that you may have to wait or stand in a long line of people.

  • Grab your mask. The Health Department strongly recommends that everyone in Philadelphia wear a mask while indoors in public spaces. This protects you and others.
  • Get tested. If you expect lots of people to be inside your polling place, consider taking a COVID-19 test before you go. If you’re positive, you can use an emergency absentee ballot. You can request an emergency absentee ballot at PhiladelphiaVotes.com or call 215-686-1590. For people who still want to vote in person, you should stay at least 6 feet from everyone else at all times while inside the polling place or while waiting outside the polling place and wear an N95 or KN95 mask.

While you’re at the polls

  • Wear your mask while you’re inside the polling place. It should only take a few minutes, the poll workers can hear you through the mask, and it’ll be safer for everyone involved.
  • Outside is safer than inside. If you would like to catch up with your neighbors or talk with folks you haven’t seen since last Election Day, try to chat outside of the polling place.
  • Take special care if you tested positive. If you test positive, but still want to vote in person, you should stay at least 6 feet from everyone else at all times while inside the polling place or while waiting outside the polling place and wear an N95 or KN95 mask. Also, consider requesting an emergency absentee ballot at PhiladelphiaVotes.com or call 215-686-1590.

After you’ve voted

  • Get tested if you’ve been exposed. If you spent time indoors with someone who was positive to for COVID-19, you should test yourself three to five days after you last saw them.
  • Wear a mask if you’ve been exposed. If you spent time indoors with someone who was positive for COVID-19, you should wear a mask while around others for 10 days after you last saw them.
Learn more about voting in Philadelphia from the City’s recent blog.