Municipal elections during the pandemic

Municipal elections during the pandemic

Access to tickets first.

New at ten -- in less than 24- hours -- polls will open for municipal elections across north alabama!

Polling places will look very different due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Waay31's megan reyna is live outside a madison polling location... she has more on how cities across the region have prepared for election day.

I can tell you after talking to four different city clerks tonight -- mail-in voting is more popular this municipal election than in the past.

Here in madison -- at city hall -- i got a look at what voting will look like for those who do choose to come to the polls tomorrow!

Shields says: "i've always cast in person...i just feel like its my duty to vote!"

And on tuesday -- lysle shields will get to fulfill his duty.

The madison resident showed up to city hall to make sure he had the right date and location monday afternoon.

Shields says:" if you do not come in and you do not vote, whether that's mail in or in person, then you are not using your voice."

Shields says he feels more confident voting in person -- but understands those who choose to mail-in their ballot.

In fact in madison 405 absentee ballots were sent out this election.

Nats in huntsville -- that numbers is about 15-thousand.

The huntsville city clerk said more people have mailed in their ballots ahead of time due to the pandemic.

Over in the shoals in florence -- the city clerk said more than 400 ballots have been returned so far.

In sand mountain -- in the city of boaz -- about 60 ballots are in.

The city clerk said that's still more mail-in votes than in the past.

Nats back in madison -- melanie williard -- the city clerk spent months preparing for this election.

Williard says: "we've been working very hard to do everything we can to keep things disinfected and keep them safe."

Face masks aren't required but encouraged.

X's on the ground will help keep voters 6 feet apart and poll workers will have face shields... gloves... and masks.

And voters like shields are thankful for these measures.

Shields says:"i am in that high-risk category.

I am 76 years old, i have diabetes."

Each city clerk couldn't tell me exactly how many voters they are expecting tomorrow.

But like here in madison -- there are several protocols put in place to ensure voters can exercise their right - safely.

Reporting live in madison mr waay 31 news