Anderson County is opening up Absentee Satellite locations ahead of the June 9 Statewide Primaries and June 23 Runoffs, which are set to proceed as scheduled.
According to their Facebook page, it's all in an effort to make voting safer during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Locations will open around Anderson County on specific days and times. Previously, voters could only cast absentee ballots at the Voter Registration and Elections office.
The plan is to open four (4) locations, divided by quadrants. The Powdersville Library and Starr Fire Department for the Northern and Southern Quadrants. The Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center and Belton Recreation for the Western and Eastern Quadrants.
There are qualifications that must be met in order to vote absentee at these satellite locations.
Being age 65 or olderHaving a disability (includes illness and injury)Attending a sick or disabled person
Voters are also asked to prepare by making sure you are registered to vote.
Photo ID or voter registration card must be presented at the time of voting.
Check for polling locations at SCVOTES.org.And Practice all social distancing directives, wear a protective mask/face covering and bring your own pen to sign the poll list.
Click picture to be taken to the Anderson County, SC Facebook Page.
Facebook Post reads:
"Absentee Satellite Locations to open in Anderson County
Efforts To Make Voting Safer for Qualifying Voters
ANDERSON, SC (April 29, 2020) – The June 9 Statewide Primaries and June 23 Runoffs are set to proceed as scheduled. Voting options remain unchanged. Voters should prepare now to exercise their right to vote by choosing the best option for them.
Due to the current pandemic the board decided to open more absentee locations around the county in hopes to provide a safer environment to vote absentee. Absentee Satellite Locations will open around Anderson County on specific days and times in an effort to provide voters more location options and times. The plan consists of opening four absentee voting locations on specific days and times. In years past the only location a voter could vote absentee was the Voter Registration and Elections office.
Vote AbsenteeThose who qualify are urged to vote absentee as soon as possible.If voting absentee by mail, you should apply now. Call our office at (864) 260-4035, email acvote@andersoncountysc.org, or follow the below link
Qualifications include:Being age 65 or olderHaving a disability (includes illness and injury)Attending a sick or disabled personClick for a full list of absentee qualifications and to get your application.
Satellite Absentee LocationsCounty Divided into 4 Quadrants: North, South, East and West
Northern and Southern Quadrant Locations
Powdersville Library 4 Civic Court Powdersville, South Carolina 29642 andStarr Fire Department 7715 Hwy 81 S, Starr SC 29684
Open Tuesday and Wednesday, May 12-13Hours 9 - 12:00 and 1:30-4:30
Western and Eastern Quadrant Location
Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center 3027 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Anderson, SC 29625 andBelton Recreation 700 Blue Ridge Ave, Belton, SC 29627
Open Thursday and Friday, May 14 –15Hours 9 - 12:00 and 1:30-4:30
Each location will be staffed with two members from the Board of Elections and two Election Workers from the area. The teams will work in shifts. The hours of operation are three hours in the morning and afternoon, with time allowed for cleaning and sanitizing equipment during each shift. “Our hope is by providing more options of absentee voting locations and times that we may limit the threat of exposure to COVID-19 for workers and voters,” said Katy Smith, Director.
Below are some of the items that were considered in the planning and location selection.
Safety to all – voters, staff, election workers, owners of locations,Dividing the county into 4 quadrants to equally represent areasTiming of opening satellite locations to provide ample notice to all concernedAmount of days and hours to open in the spirit of honoring the “Stay-at-home /Work Order” issued by the Governor and Local Administration and Social DistancingTime to properly prepare and conduct absentee voting in multiple locationsCurrent data on the COVID-19 pandemic in our state and Anderson CountyGuidance from CDC, Federal, State, and Local AuthoritiesProviding the quality of service to all at a level consistent with the standards set by our office and expectations of others, but within the framework of Federal, State, and Local Law during this unprecedented time and associated effects of the COVID-19 Virus PandemicAmount of time and resources available to-date to successfully implement the planLocations in opposite areas to voters in regions that would give multiple dates to choose when to vote absenteeSocial Distancing for staff, election workers and votersAbsentee voting to occur in two locations around the county rather than oneAllow for voters to choose where, when, and what time they wish to vote AbsenteeTo accommodate for less travel or plan absentee voting around days traveling within our county to suit voters in these areasLimits time for possible exposure to staff and election workers4 Locations to choose from over a 4-day periodPotential to decrease the mass numbers lining up to vote at the absentee precinct at the Election Office downtown over the following 3 weeks of May 18 -June 8
VotingVoters should prepare by:Making sure you are registered to vote, and your address is up to date.Check your registration.Register or update your address.Bringing your Photo ID (or voter registration card if you do not have a Photo ID).Checking your polling place at scVOTES.org before going to the polls.Wearing a protective mask if you have one.Bringing your own pen for signing the poll list.Practicing social distancing by spacing yourself at least six feet apart from others.Being patient.
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#andersonsc"
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