Polling Location at ClarkLindsey Temporarily Moved as a Preventive Health Measure
- ClarkLindsey
- Mar 11, 2020
- 2 min read
Champaign County election officials have temporarily relocated several polling sites, including the one previously hosted at ClarkLindsey, as a precaution during the early stages of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Although no local cases had been reported at the time, the decision was made in coordination with public health leaders to help protect older adults and others at higher risk. Voters assigned to these locations were redirected to nearby alternative sites for the March 17, 2020 primary.
What Happened
Ahead of the 2020 General Primary Election, the Champaign County Clerk’s office worked with the Champaign‑Urbana Public Health District to review polling places located inside long‑term‑care communities. Because these environments include individuals who may be more vulnerable to illness, officials chose to temporarily close three voting sites, including the one at ClarkLindsey.
Voters who typically cast ballots at ClarkLindsey were reassigned to St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Urbana. Similar changes were made for polling places at The Glenwood in Mahomet and Eagle View in Rantoul, with each group of voters redirected to a nearby public venue.
To reduce crowding on Election Day, the county also encouraged residents to consider early voting or voting by mail. These options were promoted as a way to maintain participation while minimizing large gatherings.
Why This Matters
Polling locations inside senior living communities offer convenience, but they also bring a steady flow of visitors into settings where residents may face higher health risks. Temporarily relocating these sites helped limit unnecessary exposure while still ensuring that voting remained accessible to the public.
The decision also highlights how election officials and public health agencies collaborated during the early months of COVID‑19 to balance community safety with the need for a smooth and inclusive voting process.
Key Details at a Glance
Polling site change: ClarkLindsey’s voting location temporarily closed
New voting site: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 2200 S. Philo Road, Urbana
Reason for change: COVID‑19 precautions for long‑term‑care residents
Other affected facilities: The Glenwood (Mahomet) and Eagle View (Rantoul)
Additional guidance: Early voting and vote‑by‑mail encouraged to reduce crowds
Broader Context
During the early stages of the pandemic, many counties across the country reassessed polling locations to protect residents of long‑term‑care communities. Relocating voting sites became a common strategy to reduce risk while maintaining access to the democratic process.
ClarkLindsey’s temporary polling site change reflects this broader national effort to prioritize health and safety during an unprecedented public health challenge.
Source Attribution
This post is based on publicly reported information originally covered by The News‑Gazette.
