WVXU Stories

Butler County Board Of Elections Workers Test Positive For Covid-19

91.7 WVXU | By Ann Thompson

Published October 13, 2020 at 2:19 PM EDT

Butler County's BOE director says her staff are essential workers, so despite three testing positive for COVID, the board can't "shut down the election" and is "dealing with everything that comes up."

Three Butler County Board of Elections workers have tested positive for the coronavirus. The BOE says they were not in contact with voters.

Director Diane Noonan says the three showed symptoms and are now at home. "They're quarantined like they're supposed to and we're taking up the rest of the slack here at the office."

Staff who were in close proximity have been notified.

"We're all essential workers here, so of course we can't shut down the election and we are just moving forward, dealing with everything that comes up," she says.

Daily temperature checks and cleaning protocols will continue, according to Noonan. In addition, workers are required to wear masks and not to report to work if feeling ill.

There are plexiglass screens between employees and voters.

The Board of Elections says the Early Vote Center has gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and alcohol-based cleaners. Voters are required to wear masks and socially distance.