California Elections Office Worker Tests Positive For COVID-19

A Yolo County, California, Elections Office employee tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday and may have exposed others, the county said in a statement.

“This staff person had minimal interaction with Poll Workers but did work with other Elections staff and some election observers,” the statement said. “There was limited exposure to Voter Assistance Centers or Yolo County residents and voters.”
Contact tracers are working to notify close contacts.

While the county has adhered to social distancing and cleaning protocols, it is implementing further mitigation steps including only allowing critical staff in the office and deep cleaning facilities. The county also said close contacts will be sent home to self-quarantine and work from home options will be made available.

The infection will not impact the Dec. 3 certification deadline for the 2020 general election. The county says over 99,000 total votes were cast, with more than 90,000 mail-in ballots.

“To preserve the health and safety of our staff, observers and the public, we are taking extensive measures to contain this incident and are adjusting our election certification processes accordingly,” Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters Jesse Salinas said in the statement. “We appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as we proceed through this situation safely.”

Yolo County includes West Sacramento and Davis.