[Q&A] Where and How Can Confirmed Patients Vote... Early Voting After 5 PM on the 5th

On the 9th, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Travel by walking, car, or quarantine taxi
Wait for PCR test results or
If rapid antigen test is positive, follow general procedures

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] As early voting for the 20th presidential election has begun, COVID-19 confirmed patients can also vote on the second day of early voting, the 5th, and on election day, the 9th. With the revision of the Public Official Election Act on the 16th of last month, infectious disease patients in isolation are now allowed to participate in election activities. As of midnight on the 4th, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has exceeded 260,000, and it is expected that the number of special voters, including those receiving home treatment, those admitted to residential treatment centers, and those quarantined after entering the country, will exceed one million by election day. Already, 925,662 people are receiving home treatment, accounting for more than 2% of the total population, and are expected to participate in special voting.

- When should you arrive at the polling station?

▲ Confirmed patients can go out from 5 p.m. on the 5th and 9th. On the 5th, they must arrive at the polling station before 6 p.m. to vote, and on the 9th, they can vote between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. They must use walking, private cars, or quarantine taxis to get to the polling station; public transportation is not allowed. Outing guidance messages will be sent by the health centers in charge of confirmed and isolated individuals at noon the day before early voting (5th), at noon and 4 p.m. on the voting day, and similarly at noon the day before election day (9th), and at noon and 4 p.m. on election day.

- What should you be careful about when voting?

▲ When visiting the polling station, you must wear a health mask, and voting will take place in temporary booths separated from the flow of general voters. Voters must show their ID along with the outing guidance message, COVID-19 confirmation notification message, or health center isolation notice to the election staff to proceed with voting. There are 3,552 early voting stations and 14,464 main polling stations. On the 5th, 10 special early voting stations will also be operated separately within residential treatment centers where COVID-19 patients are receiving treatment.

- If you are waiting for a PCR test result

▲ Those waiting for a confirmed diagnosis after a PCR test or who have only received a positive rapid antigen test result should vote during the regular voting hours (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) like general voters, as they have not yet been confirmed as positive cases. However, since they have tested positive on the rapid antigen test, it is recommended to avoid using public transportation. Also, if a medical institution has confirmed a positive PCR result but the health center has not yet notified the individual of confirmation and isolation, they must participate in voting as a confirmed patient. The quarantine authorities are preparing measures to notify confirmed cases through emergency contact networks even if confirmation notifications are not received on election day due to confirmation delays.

- Can you visit other places after voting?

▲ Once voting is completed, you must return home immediately. Visiting other places such as purchasing coffee at takeout shops or withdrawing money from ATMs is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply will be considered a violation of self-quarantine measures and may result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.