There are more than 113,000 new registered voters in Mississippi and election officials are predicting record turnout at the polls on Tuesday. For those who have voted before, the coronavirus pandemic is going to make the voting experience different.
Tina Hill, an Election Commissioner in DeSoto County, says voters are required to remain socially distant from one another while waiting in line.
"We do know just because you're gathering and people are used to being confined at this point, (people) will be anxious to communicate with each other," said Hill.
"We will be social distancing them in the lines and doing as much as we can to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our voters."
Masks are strongly encouraged and will be available to voters who arrive without one. Hill says to limit person-to-person contact, they're also providing each voter their own stylus pen.
Jacqueline Thompson is an Election Commissioner in Washington County. She says voters are required to sanitize their hands upon arrival and before using the machine to vote. And after each vote, a poll worker will disinfect the machine before the next person can use it. Could that prolong the voting process? She says yes.
"If you come to the precinct and you're standing outside longer than usual, just don't get impatient and walk away and not vote," said Thompson.
"I think you should consider staying and casting your vote and urging other people to stay and cast their vote."
General rules at precincts statewide require voters to present a photo ID and ban cameras, political conversations, and wearing items that promote a candidate or an issue on the ballot inside the polling place.
