By: Heidi Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansans are encouraged to wear face masks to the polls, but they aren’t required.
As Election Day approaches, many voters are gearing up to cast their votes Nov. 3 at polling centers across Washington County.
Many polling centers may have posted guidelines regarding masks, but voters will not be turned away regardless of whether they wear a mask or not.
Election Commissioner Max Deitchler said most voters have opted to wear a mask, but a handful have chosen not to.
“There have been people who do not wear a mask, and I have received some complaints,” Deitchler said.
When Asa Hutchinson enacted a mask mandate, he specifically excluded voters and poll workers to encourage voting across the state.
Deitchler said masks can be a partisan issue for many voters and poll workers, but he wishes that this wasn’t the case.
“It’s proven to be one of the most effective things to stop the spread of the virus,” Deitchler said. “I think it is unfortunate that it has become a political issue.”
In an effort to reduce the spread of the virus, staff have placed plastic dividers and hand sanitizer throughout the polling centers.
The final day of voting in Washington County is Nov. 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.