Associated Press: Advocates urge Hogan to adjust plan for traditional election

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — Rebecca Wilson has supervised the same polling location in Maryland’s Prince George’s County for every election since 2004, but her streak will end this fall. She has underlying health conditions that increase her risk of serious illness from a COVID-19 infection.

“I consider serving in the polling place my patriotic duty, and I love doing it, but I will not volunteer for an unnecessary suicide mission,” Wilson, 67, said Wednesday during an online news conference organized by voting rights advocates.

Other local election officials joined advocacy group leaders in urging Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to adjust his July 8 directive to hold a traditional election in November. They want him to expand mail-in voting for the general election to reduce health risks from crowded polling stations during the pandemic.

Joanne Antoine, executive director of Common Cause Maryland, said a “hybrid election” with automatically mailed ballots and in-person voting would be the safest option.

“We are still in a crisis, and we have no idea what October and November are going to look like,” she said during an online press briefing.