ABC News: 4 key battleground states reporting record-high coronavirus cases weeks from Election Day

ABC News: 4 key battleground states reporting record-high coronavirus cases weeks from Election Day

"Voting is different during a pandemic and voters are going to need to take steps to protect themselves," said Catherine Turcer, the executive director for Common Cause Ohio, an organization dedicated to protecting and improving voters' rights and access to the ballot. "While the increased number of cases makes everyone nervous, we have some basic tools like masks and all Ohio voters who choose to vote in person are encouraged to wear a mask. The poll workers will have masks and PPE for voters who need them."

Four key battleground states — Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and Wisconsin — are seeing record-high novel coronavirus cases, sparking concerns the U.S. is headed in the wrong direction a little more than two weeks before Election Day.

“It is very possible that this is the beginning of a second wave,” Michigan Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said Tuesday at a meeting with state and public health officials.

The battle at the polls is quickly becoming a battle to keep voters safe as they turn out in pivotal contests….

Ahead of Election Day, counties throughout the state have added strict measures to keep voters safe. In September, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose sent a 48-point voting safety plan to the battleground state’s 88 county boards of elections.

The plan includes routine cleaning of voting machines and e-pollbooks, making curbside voting available and implementing mask requirements and regular hand-washing for all poll workers.

“Voting is different during a pandemic and voters are going to need to take steps to protect themselves,” said Catherine Turcer, the executive director for Common Cause Ohio, an organization dedicated to protecting and improving voters’ rights and access to the ballot. “While the increased number of cases makes everyone nervous, we have some basic tools like masks and all Ohio voters who choose to vote in person are encouraged to wear a mask. The poll workers will have masks and PPE for voters who need them.”