The Pennsylvania Primary Election is just around the corner as polls open on Tuesday. It's already been an unusual election year so far.

The primary was postponed from April 28 so the state could get a handle on the coronavirus. This year, all voters had the option of mailing-in their ballot.  The Erie County Election Office sent out over 34,000 ballots.  Only 16,000 have been returned to date.

Poll workers in Erie County will be provided with gloves, face shields, and masks.  However voters will not be required to wear a mask.

"Technically, that is the law.  We can't deny someone the right to vote on the issue of a mask," says Doug Smith, Erie County Clerk of Elections.

Some poll workers in Erie County are senior citizens.  They are at risk for a hard hit from the coronavirus and have requested to sit this election out.  Not Don Weibel.  He'll be working the polls at Erie High on Tuesday, as he has for many years.

"Well, I figure it's my civic duty to do it," he said. I've been doing it for 18 years.  I just thought if you wear a mask and obey the rules and everything, you'll be okay."

Smith says new poll workers have been recruited for Tuesday's election.  Some have never worked an election before and will be dealing with new voting machines. Some polling places will have fewer workers than normal.  Because of those things, Smith says voting times may be longer than usual.