Mask ruling affects election judges

I have served as a Cook County election judge in several past elections and was considering serving again this election. That decision is now in doubt based on the state's failure to require all in-person voters to wear masks.

I cannot enter Walmart, Menards, Home Depot or any other establishment without a mask. Most likely my assignment would be in a public or government facility where masks are also required.

I am confident that my Hoffman Estates neighbors will have the good sense to wear a mask for their own protection as well as the protection of other voters and election judges. But, the decision saying massless, irresponsible voters cannot be turned away and they would be "directed to voting booths far away from others" is ridiculous.

We would need to set up separate check-in and scanning facilities too. These are the places where election judges come in direct contact with these voters, not when they are in a booth by themselves.

Now is the time to demonstrate good sense and leadership by stating masks are required in polling places and allow election judges to turn away unmasked voters for everyone's safety. Voters cannot enter the polling place displaying any campaigning material but COVID-19 is allowed?

Joe Celosky

Hoffman Estates