Big Events, Big Changes and Celebrating Safely
/Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer
We have two big events in coming days. They overlap, and they’re both very different this year because of the pandemic.
One is Halloween. I know many of us will miss the festivities the County has been holding the last few years. It’s turned into our biggest employee event. Like many things, we’ll have to do a virtual version this time around. I hope you’ll join the costume “party” and enjoy some of the other activities on InSite.
Then on the day itself, please celebrate safely. Our public health doctors have recommendations on ways to enjoy the holiday while avoiding the spread of COVID-19. Local case numbers have kept us right on the edge of facing tighter restrictions, so we all need to stay vigilant.
The other event is the election. The presidential race gets the biggest headlines, but there’s so much more to be decided. Affecting us most directly at the County are three Board of Supervisors seats. Then there are important state propositions, mayors, council members, races and measures for nearly every jurisdiction.
Election Day is Tuesday, but the election is very much underway. To cut down on the contact with others that comes at polling places, every Californian got a mail ballot. Voting by mail has been San Diegans’ preferred method for years, but we are really jumping on it this year. The Registrar has already received back nearly half of the 1.95 million ballots mailed out!
Polls will still be open. In fact, this is the biggest change this election. Every polling place will be open four full days. They’ll open this Saturday – Halloween – and will continue through Election Day itself. If you do go in person, be aware your polling place has likely changed from where it was in the past. They’re set up to achieve social distancing and have other measures in place to prevent spread of the virus. Get all your voting questions answered at sdvote.com.
Pulling off any election is a herculean task. With all the changes thrown at our Registrar, the work of Michael Vu and his entire team has been absolutely amazing. We thank everyone involved for what they’ve done already, and for the efforts of weeks to come, as they go through the long and exhaustive process of finalizing the vote. This is the cornerstone of our democracy, and their commitment deserves our gratitude.
Halloween, Día de los Muertos, our right to vote – all things to celebrate. Let’s enjoy and do so safely.
