Flu fears could impact Nov. election

BURNET, Texas (KXAN) - Flu fears are prompting Burnet County elections officials to take sanitary action. As a result, on Nov. 3, decisions and disinfectant will await voters there.

“We had the Purell hand pumps back in May,” said Barbara Agnew, the county’s elections administrator. “This time, we are going a step further, because we know people are worried about H1N1.”

Concerned the health matter could keep Burnet County residents from the polls, Agnew has been pricing other disinfecting devices for use in each voting booth. In addition to hand pumps, officials will also wipe down each booth with an anti-bacterial substance after each use.

“I hope that, if people know about this early enough, they won’t be too scared to come out and vote,” said Agnew. “The election process is a very important one, and we want as much participation as possible.”

Agnew said the main challenge in selecting a product is finding the right ingredients. The manufacturer of the voting booths recommends using ammonia-free products to wipe down the unit’s surfaces.

“We want to keep these booths for a long time,” said Agnew, “so this will make sure we protect them without wearing them down with something too harsh for the material it’s built out of.”

The county will also hang up posters from the Center for Disease Control in both English and Spanish, reminding voters about important health tips during flu season. The changes will take place at each of the county’s 15 voting sites.

At this time, Agnew is unsure of the cost to the county but hopes to have supplies selected within the next week.