How safe are Hamilton polling sites in the pandemic?

Robert and Debra Levo, both in their 70s, cast their ballots in an advance poll at Annunciation of our Lord Church in Hamilton’s West-Ancaster-Dundas riding last week, but it wasn’t what they were expecting in the pandemic election.

“I’ve never felt so unsafe during this whole pandemic as I did this morning,” said Robert on Friday afternoon.

When they entered the church hall, they said they were shocked by the lack of physical distancing, poor ventilation and the amount of people crammed into a line in a small hallway — especially when they noticed someone wasn’t wearing a mask. They also said they saw seniors with walkers in distress asking for chairs because the area was so hot.

For Robert, it seemed like safety was a secondary consideration. “It was disappointing,” said Debra.

Elections Canada spokesperson Nathalie de Montigny was unable to discuss this incident but said the agency outlines safety protocols for electors and poll workers, consistent with Ontario public health guidelines.

This includes a mask mandate, though poll workers are not asking for proof of medical exemption as they are not qualified to determine their validity, said de Montigny.

Other COVID-19 safety measures for polling sites include physical distancing, sanitization stations, single-use pencils and contact tracing. Poll workers are also provided with Plexiglas barriers for their individual desks, she said.

While poll workers are given COVID-19 safety training as part of their full day of training, they learn on the job, too, she said, and will be more equipped to rectify safety concerns on election day.

“As it goes, it gets better,” de Montigny said.

On the contrary, Laura Farr, a Hamilton Centre voter, said she felt comfortable when she cast her ballot in an advance poll.

She recalled a COVID-19 screening questionnaire upon entry, masked staff, and single-use pencils and hand sanitizer made available for electors.

“It made me feel very safe,” she said. If electors have complaints about their polling station, de Montigny said formal complaints can be filed online with Elections Canada. Electors can also file complaints on feedback forms available at poll locations or Elections Canada offices.

In addition, voting via mail by special ballot is also an option available for folks who don’t feel comfortable heading to the polls in person, she said. The deadline to apply for a special ballot was 6 p.m. Sept. 14.