Voting day in the United States, after an election season like no other [PHOTOS + VIDÉO] | US Presidential 2020 | News | The Daily

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Misinformation about electoral procedures, concerns about possible clashes at the polls and reports about the mail slowdown also clouded the run-up to election day.

“The eyes of the American public and the world are on election officials as we hold free and fair elections during this unprecedented time,” said New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who is also president of the National Association of Secretaries of State. “Rest assured, we are ready. We have coordinated with all levels of government and are in constant communication to ensure the smooth running of the elections. ”

The group worked with the National Association of State Electoral Officers to help states develop plans to protect against foreign and domestic cyberattacks, tackle disinformation, and strengthen an electoral infrastructure tested by massive early voting and taking precautions due to the pandemic.

Officials from some 10,000 electoral districts rushed to buy personal protective equipment, find larger polling stations, replace poll workers who have chosen not to participate in the elections this year due to health concerns and add temporary workers to deal with the avalanche of postal ballots.

Most states, even those with tighter guidelines on wearing masks, have not gone so far as to force voters to wear them to vote. Instead, they asked voters to wear masks while offering options to those who refused.

“Ten thousand election officials, people from every community across the country, quickly mobilized and planned this election in record time, and they are working very hard to count all the legitimate ballots,” said Noah Praetz, a former public servant. Illinois Election Office that has helped polling offices adapt their processes this year. “They deal with the few rare incidents of bad behavior and they ensure the integrity of this election.”

Given the last-minute changes and the decentralized nature of the US election, problems were expected. Every election, equipment breaks, polling stations open late and the lines can be long, especially in urban areas.

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