Community Health and Safety Prioritized at Library Sites
With heat indexes of over 100 degrees forecast for the next several days, The Davidson County Election Commission and The Nashville Public Library have coordinated a revised voting plan at Early Voting sites located inside public libraries. For the protection of voters – both during the heat emergency and the COVID-19 pandemic – libraries serving as Early Voting locations for the August 6 election will be closed to library patrons throughout the Early Voting period.
Library polling locations will only serve people coming to vote from July 18-August 1, in order to accommodate social distancing in a cool, safe environment.
“We appreciate the flexibility of Nashville Public Library patrons and staff, as we navigate conducting an election during two health emergencies,” said Jeff Roberts, Davidson County Administrator of Elections. “Normally, voters can queue inside the library as they wait their turn to vote, but social distancing requirements limited that number. After Director Chief Swann, Nashville Fire Department/OEM declared a heat emergency on Friday, Library Director Kent Oliver and his leadership team took immediate action to open their buildings and bring voters in from the heat.”
Impacted library/Early Voting sites include the Bellevue, Bordeaux, Edmondson Pike, Green Hills, Hermitage, Madison, and Southeast branch locations. Early Voting is also being held at Belle Meade City Hall, Casa Azafrán Community Center, Goodlettsville Community Center, and the Howard Office Building. A complete schedule and maps to each site may be found at www.nashville.gov/vote.
In addition to social distancing, COVID-19 safety protocols include Poll Officials wearing PPE and hand sanitizer available upon entry and exit of each polling place. Voters are encouraged to wear face coverings, per Governor Lee’s Executive Order No. 54 and Metro Public Health Order 8. One-use pens and recyclable ballot marking devices will enable safe, touchless voting.
The Davidson County Election Commission is responsible for providing free and fair elections to every eligible citizen. The Election Commission is regulated by State of Tennessee law and funded by Metropolitan Nashville government. The main office is located at 1417 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217.