SE Texas Times

Tensions have been high across the United States when it comes to mail-in versus in-person voting, but for GOP Chair Jeff Steele (R-Refugio), he has no concerns for being physically present on Election Day in the midst of a global pandemic. 

Election officials and staff have been working hard to establish safeguards to make U.S. citizens comfortable should they choose to vote in-person. Basic cleanliness such as hand sanitizer and wiping down machines after every use is something that most voters would expect on Nov. 3. 

"The safeguards established for businesses should be sufficient for in-person voting. Masks, social distance, available hand sanitizer, and wiping down voting machines after each use should create the confidence that voting in-person is safe," Steele said. "At this point and time, people are so fed up with the COVID that they would still vote if no safeguards were in place. I believe the majority of the population's fear of it just isn't as prominent as it was four months ago."

Steele mentioned that physical distancing shouldn't be a discouragement for American's to vote. 

"If lines are outside, physical distance shouldn't matter if masks are worn. Inside the 6-foot distance could be utilized. Overall, in most large cities, long lines are expected so the visual aspect should not be an issue in discouraging people from voting," Steele said. 

Voter suppression has been a major concern. For Steele who lives in a small city, this isn't something that raises any concerns, especially since he is an early voter. 

"Voting during the early voting time frame could limit the number of people one would come in contact during voting on election day," Steele said. "I usually vote early so I am not worried about the safeguards because I am generally the only one in the facility voting at the time. I am from a small town so not a lot of people at one time voting except on Election Day."