1. PURPOSE: This memorandum and attachments provide election officials guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) related to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
2. INFORMATION: COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can be spread from person-to-person. Because the disease is receiving considerable news coverage, some people are asking for guidance regarding the disease’s potential impact on Wisconsin elections.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports that the immediate health risk to the general public in Wisconsin remains low. In general, the practices that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 are identical to the practices that prevent the spread of influenza and other respiratory viruses.
Attached to this communication are two PDF files with additional COVID-19 information from the CDC.
a) Recommended Precautions for Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Polling Places
b) Elections Officials Preparation Checklist for Coronavirus Disease 2019
3. QUESTIONS: In the next few weeks, the Wisconsin Elections Commission will provide additional information to help clerks update their contingency plans. For further information about COVID-19, please visit either the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at https://dhs.wisconsin.gov or the CDC at https://cdc.gov.