An employee at Marshfield Clinic administers a COVID-19 vaccine. Image courtesy: WAOW TV.
WESTON, WI (WSAU) — The Weston Village Board has put its support behind a movement to have the state’s election workers included in the latest round of COVID-19 vaccination eligibility.
Village leaders say that as essential workers and given the volume of elections that have taken place in the last year, it makes sense to protect those workers who may be exposed to large volumes of people in a single day.
The vote comes one day after a statewide primary was held to narrow the field of candidates for the state Superintendent of DPI down from seven to two, and seven weeks before the spring non-partisan election on April 6th.
The declaration adds that vaccinating clerks now would allow more municipal centers to reopen, bringing a sense of normalcy back to communities.
In addition to serving as a community’s top election official, clerks also handle many day-to-day tasks at their municipal hall.
The resolution was first proposed by the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks’ Association. It also cites Governor Evers’ declaration of Clerks as essential employees as part of last year’s safer at home order as a reason to have them vaccinated as soon as possible.
In 2020 there were as many as five elections for many municipalities, especially in the 7th Congressional district where a special election had to be held to replace Sean Duffy.
Because poll workers in many areas are retired or those who fell into the high-risk category for COVID-19, the state activated National Guard troops to help with many of those elections. Despite that aid, some cities still had to consolidate polling places which led to long lines.
The WMCA adds that many of those elections were conducted without adequate personal protective equipment.
Wednesday’s vote was part of a special Board of Trustees meeting. The full resolution can be seen as part of the agenda packet for the meeting by clicking here.
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