Safeguard Voter Privacy and Trust with Room Dividers at Polling Stations

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Every four years, eligible American citizens head to the polls to elect their president (Election Day is Nov. 5 this year!). More than 132,000 polling places were used in the 2020 election, according to the 2020 Election Administration and Voting Survey Report by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), but only 9.6% of polling places were located at election offices; most polling places were at other sites, like libraries, schools, or mobile voting locations.

Regardless of where Americans cast their ballots come election time, one logistic that voters can stand behind is privacy while voting. The implementation of room dividers is a practical, cost-effective measure that ensures every voter can exercise their right to vote in a private, secure, and dignified manner.  

Maximizing Venue Flexibility for Smooth Operations and Voter Participation
With communal venues being the majority holder for polling stations across the U.S., these locations need a quick and economical solution for temporary setups. Room dividers, like the Standard Room Divider from Screenflex, are easy to assemble, adjust, reconfigure, and take down to store away for the next election or event. 

Election Day can be a lengthy ordeal of waiting in line, which is why a clearly designated waiting area separate from the voting area is important. This can be achieved with long-extending room dividers to create a temporary wall. The Standard Room Divider can be extended out to 24’1″, blocking external distractions such as the constant in-and-out flow of people and conversations. The Standard Room Divider can also be compacted down to create individual booths.

Ensuring Privacy While Voting 

Voting is your chance to shape the future by choosing leaders and policies that resonate with you. But the setup of your polling station can make a big difference. A study found that a voting environment’s usability ratings were lowest for configurations without dividers or spacing between machines, especially when machines faced each other. The highest ratings were for setups with dividers, adequate spacing, and non-facing arrangements, emphasizing that poor environmental design could discourage voting and affect election outcomes. So, room dividers can help voters feel at ease and ensure a more positive experience versus environments without dividers.
 

In an ideal setting, voting should be free from pressure. Room dividers create private spaces where voters can make their choices without fear of being watched or judged, thus upholding the integrity of their individual choice without intimidation or influence. Privacy also lets voters support their candidates and policies without worrying about backlash from family, friends, colleagues, or fellow voters. 

Polling places can get busy, especially during peak hours. Room dividers help keep things organized and efficient, guiding voters smoothly through the process. Plus, many Screenflex room dividers are tackable, letting venue and poll managers post signs for easy navigation and other pertinent information.  

Be Ready for Election Day 

As democratic elections demand fairness and privacy, Screenflex’s flexible and adaptable dividers are an important asset that the thousands of venues across the U.S. need during election time. Cast your trust in transforming your polling station into a well-oiled voting machine by reaching out to our experts now so you’re prepared for Nov. 5.