It’s Safe to Go to the Massachusetts Polls to Vote [OPINION]

Tuesday, September 1 is primary election day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and everybody who hasn't voted should head to the polls and cast their vote.

There is no excuse to skip this primary election. The elected and appointed officials who oversee our elections have done everything they can to make voting safe in these strange days of COVID-19. There has been a tremendous amount of thinking and discussion at all levels of the process, not to mention the number of tax dollars being expended to safeguard the voters.

I have voted twice in person since the COVID-19 pandemic upended life as we know it in America. Both of my experiences were safe and easy.

The first time I cast a ballot was in the spring election for local offices in the town of Fairhaven. The town repeatedly delayed the election, as many other towns did, until they were confident they could do it safely. I wore a mask, the poll workers wore masks, the town had erected plexiglass barriers, and there were markings on the floor to guide people into social distancing. The Fairhaven Police officer at my polling station was alert and helpful and there was a cleaning person diligently sanitizing the facility.

The second time I voted was last week. Because I was utilizing the "early voting" system for the primary, I voted at the Fairhaven Fire Station. The process was easy and safe. All of the proper safeguards were in place to protect the voters and the wonderful people who staffed the polling place.

Democrats, Republicans, and unenrolled voters all have reasons to cast a ballot this Tuesday and trust me, you can do it safely.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.