, the Peruvian consuls in both states have reported.
New York
The Consul General of Peru in New York, Marita Landaveri, told Andina news agency that 42,287 Peruvians residing in that state will be allowed to exercise their right to vote this Sunday.
Landaveri pointed out that the sanitary restrictions for these elections are the same as those valid in the national territory and those established by U.S. authorities to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
These are: measuring the temperature of voters, disinfecting hands with alcohol-based sanitizer, maintaining social distance (1.5 meters), and wearing a face mask on a mandatory basis.
Added to this are the suggestions for wearing a face shield and brining an own pen to the polling station, so as not to share the pen for casting a vote.
Concerning fines, the diplomat mentioned that these will be issued only if the Peruvian citizen has been selected as a polling station member. In the event that he/she cannot attend the event, a dispensation may be submitted to the National Elections Board (JNE) justifying the absence.
Landaveri stressed that the 2021 general elections will be totally different, since —for the first time in history— Peruvians abroad will elect two direct representatives to Congress, who will be in charge of ensuring the well-being of all compatriots residing abroad.
New Jersey
Meanwhile, Peruvian consul in New Jersey Yvan Solari affirmed that said state has the largest number of Peruvian residents in the United States. Thus, over 53,000 voters are registered in the electoral roll.
"Sanitary measures are all those that have been issued by the Federal Government of the United States, the local government of New Jersey, and the locality where the electoral process will take place, that is, in Secaucus," he said.
There will be 173 polling stations open from 08:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The consul stressed that polling members are 519 people —in addition to the consulate and support staff— lead to 600. Thus, 300 to 400 citizens will be allowed to enter as voters.
Like the New York-based consul, he emphasized that fines will only be given to polling station members who do not attend the event, not to voters.
Regarding the election —for the first time— of two Congress members to represent Peruvians abroad, Solari said it is a good opportunity to elect those who represent them and ensure their rights outside the country.
He also invited all Peruvian citizens in New Jersey to fulfill their civic duty and arrive early at the polling place, respecting all the established measures.