What’s the safest way to vote in a pandemic? Your COVID election questions, answered

Rosa Clinton plans to mask up" and do her part as a poll worker in Canada's first pandemic election.

I'm fully vaccinated, I understand the distancing protocols ... (and) it doesn't hurt me to wear a mask," said the 52-year-old, who hopes to work at a polling station in Hamilton Centre. But I'm not surprised if other people feel uncertain about it."

Epidemiologist Ashleigh Tuite admitted she was surprised to see the long-rumoured election call given the advent of a variant-fuelled fourth wave of COVID infections.

Unfortunately, we do expect to see a lot of transmission happening," said Tuite, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. It's not necessarily a time you want to have lots of people gathering or out and about ... I think it's understandable that people would have concerns."

Elections Canada says it is working hard to offset pandemic anxiety - among voters, candidates and poll workers.

Regardless, experts expect COVID anxiety to result in more mail-in ballots, fewer willing election workers, and more questions - and inevitably, controversies - about how to conduct a safe campaign and eventual vote on Sept. 20.

Here are some common election COVID-safety questions and the answers we have so far.

What's the safest way to vote?

If you want to skip in-person voting altogether, you can mail in a special ballot.

People vote by mail in every election. But during the country's first pandemic vote, Elections Canada is braced for between two and three million mail-in ballots - as opposed to the 50,000 or so received in 2019.

Tuite registered for a mail-in ballot on the first day of the election campaign. I don't really want to go to the polls right now, so if I can vote by mail, I will," she said.

But if snail-mail voting sounds like too much work, you could jump the socially distanced voting-day queue by hitting an advance poll Sept. 10, 11, 12 or 13. (You'll eventually get a voter card with location information.)

Otherwise, Elections Canada will enforce physical distancing and mask-wearing at poll stations, offer single-use pencils and spend extra time choosing locations. Ideally, all poll workers would also be vaccinated, said Tuite.

How do I vote by mail?

It takes a bit of work.

To vote by mail, you must first apply online by filling out an application and providing proof of identity and address. (You can also do this in person at a local Elections Canada office or call for help at 1-800-463-6868.)

Elections Canada will validate your details and then send you a special ballot kit with instructions on how to use it. At that point, you're committed - you can no longer change your mind and vote at a polling station.

There is no multiple choice option - you write the name of your chosen candidate in a blank space provided on your special ballot. You must also sign a declaration that you are an eligible elector and won't try to double-vote.

The deadline to apply to vote by mail is Sept. 14 - but remember, your mailed ballot must be received by Sept. 20.

Tuite said some residents may be daunted by the online application. She's hoping friends or family will step in to help, as many did to book online vaccine appointments for less tech-savvy" residents.

Is it safe to work in a polling station?

Elections Canada concedes it will be challenging" to find 18,000 voting stations that are safe, convenient and available during a pandemic. This means polling places may be in unusual locations," said spokesperson Nathalie de Montigny.

Some people have expressed concerns about allowing voting in schools - which in September, will be filled with largely unvaccinated students.

De Montigny said Elections Canada is in talks with school boards across the country and would prioritize building locations that allow physical distancing, easy cleaning, open windows and a separate entrance away from students.

In Hamilton, some safe public school locations have been identified with approval from public health," said board spokesperson Shawn McKillop. A final list of poll locations is still under study.

De Montigny also said the agency expects a shortage of willing poll workers. Still, she said the job will be safe, with all workers masked, distanced and protected by shields and open windows.

What does safe candidate campaigning look like?

Handshakes, baby-kissing and large indoor rallies are out in this COVID election.

In general, we don't really want (candidates) to have a lot of physical contact with people at this stage," said Tuite. I think that will make door-to-door campaigning more of a challenge."

Elections Canada has a tip sheet for candidates that recommends, among other things:

• Wear a mask, stay physically distant where possible and avoid physical contact when meeting the public;

• avoid touching surfaces like doorbells and handles and wash hands as much as possible;

• maintain records of canvassing activities and participants to assist public health authorities with contact tracing.

Locally, Hamilton public health is reviewing federal and provincial guidance for any gaps" in health advice. In the meantime, anyone with questions about event or other COVID requirements can contact phscovid19@hamilton.ca.

Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com