Waiting to vote safely: How Covid-19 safety measures shaped in-person voter wait times during the 2020 election.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The aim of this article is to assess the impact of Covid-19 safety measures on voter wait times during the 2020 U.S. election.

Methods

Multinomial logistic regression models predicting voter wait times contingent on the presence of Covid safety measures: poll workers wearing face coverings, protective barriers separating voters and workers, voters and booths socially distanced, hand sanitizer, single-use ballot marking pens, and cleaning voting booths between voters, as well as an additive index of these measures.

Results

Findings suggest Covid-safety measures significantly affected voter wait times. Effects vary by Covid safety feature, with face coverings, barriers, social distancing, and cleaning booths increasing voter wait times (typically around 10-30

SUBMITTER: Coll J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9115441 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature