FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Contact: Kristen Schulze Muszynski
207-441-7638

Secretary Dunlap credits partnerships, thanks municipal clerks for conducting a safe election

Augusta - Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is congratulating municipal clerks and election workers across the State for safely conducting the most challenging General Election of our time on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 –  in the midst of a global pandemic, with record-breaking voter turnout of 75% of Maine’s voting age population.

Secretary Dunlap is pleased to announce that the Maine Centers for Disease Control has no record of any COVID-19 outbreak investigations associated with polling places on Election Day.

“Voting in-person in Maine was a safe option even during this pandemic, which is a testament to our partnerships and the impressive dedication of our municipal clerks in implementing the disease prevention measures for voters and election workers,” said Secretary Dunlap.

The Department of the Secretary of State’s Elections Division worked closely with the Maine CDC and Gov. Mills’ office to develop guidelines and provide protective equipment to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus on Election Day. Safety measures included limiting the number of voters inside a polling place, sanitizing voting booths, installing table-top sneeze guards at the ballot tables and requiring face coverings for poll workers.

“The Elections Division staff worked tirelessly to add these safety measures for the July 14, 2020 Primary Election and build upon them for the General Election,” said Secretary Dunlap. “Most voters do not realize the amount of work that goes into preparing for an election, and to have the pandemic considerations on top of all the regular election work was incredibly challenging.

“Our staff, in partnership with the Governor’s office and clerks across the State, rose to the challenge and ultimately kept our voters and poll workers safe while maintaining the integrity and accessibility of this important election.”

Secretary Dunlap also recognized Maine companies FlowFold and L.L. Bean, which donated face shields and face masks, respectively, to aid in the protection of all election staff and poll workers.

The official results of the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election are now posted on the Maine Department of the Secretary of State election results webpage.