For Immediate Release: 10/30/2020 10:19 am
In consultation with officials at Assumption University, the City of Worcester has determined it is safe to allow voters in Ward 1, Precinct 3 to vote at the University on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Following the announcement that 8 students tested positive for the COVID-19 virus this week, and more than 100 students were quarantining or in isolation (on and off campus), the University and the city’s Department of Public Health mutually decided to institute a weeklong shelter-in-place order that extends through Election Day.
The polling location at La Maison Français, an administrative building that houses, among other staff, the president’s office, will be deep-cleaned prior to the election and access restricted only to the polling location which is located adjacent to the entrance. All proper COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed, and with the shelter-in-place order in effect, no students will have access to La Maison Français and the general public will not be permitted anywhere on campus other than the polling location.
Alternatively, students who reside in Worcester who are sheltering in place will qualify for Emergency Covid-19 ballots. The Office of the City Clerk will work in collaboration with Assumption University to ensure all quarantined students who are registered to vote in Worcester have an opportunity to vote by mail-in ballot. All emergency ballots must be returned to the Election Office at City Hall by the close of polls at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
We are confident that these steps will help promote the health and safety of students and members of the community voting at the school. These steps also ensure that individuals voting still have the ability to participate in the election.
