VA Dept. of Elections Responds to Reports of Unmasked Voter Suppression

Following reporting from Townhall and others that Virginia voters were being required to wear a mask in order to cast a ballot on Tuesday, Virginia Department of Elections Commissioner Chris Piper reminded poll workers that masks could not be a prerequisite to voting.

"We have gotten several reports of voters either being turned away or being made to wait until the polling place is clear before being allowed to vote if they refuse to wear a mask," Commissioner Piper wrote.

"While masks are encouraged, every eligible voter is entitled to cast a ballot at their polling place," Piper said, adding "It is not sufficient to offer curbside voting as an alternative."

As Virginians headed to vote on Election Day, reports began to surface Tuesday morning that some were being told a mask must be worn in order to enter a polling location and cast a ballot.

There have been several reports from voters who say they were told by poll workers that they are required to wear a mask in order to vote.

According to official guidance from the Virginia Department of Elections issued on September 9, 2020 election workers cannot require a voter to wear a mask in order to cast a ballot and "Cannot turn a voter away because they refuse to use a mask."

While that's already a pretty clear ban on turning away voters for not wearing a mask, having a fever, or being otherwise symptomatic, the guidance spells it out even more explicitly: "A voter may insist on voting in-person. Your election official cannot turn away a voter."

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/spencerbrown/2021/11/02/virginia-poll-workers-requiring-masks-to-vote-in-violation-of-election-rules-rep-n2598436