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Local and state election officials across the U.S. have seen unprecedented challenges in handling voting safely amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Bob Brandon, president and CEO of the nonpartisan Fair Elections Center, more than 900,000 volunteers are usually needed to operate polling stations across the country.  This year's demand is even higher because more polling sites are needed to facilitate voters while reducing crowds and waiting time. And more help also is needed to handle mail-in ballots.

As of last month, there are still thousands of volunteers short at polling stations.

Election officials in many states say the shortage is mainly due to the safety concerns. CNBC reports that most poll workers are typically over 60, making them more vulnerable to coronavirus. As a result, some decided not to volunteer at polling stations for fear of contracting the virus.

The shortage in poll workers forced the states to cut the number of polling sites available for in-person voting on Election Day. For example, as of September 8, Maryland jurisdictions plan to open 318 polling stations on Election Day, compared to 1,604 in the 2016 general election.

To encourage people to vote and help local governments operate polling stations safely, U.S. companies are taking action to help.

Many professional sports teams, universities and colleges have turned their sports arenas to large polling stations, promoting safe and socially distanced voting. According to the non-partisan Election Super Centers Project, more than 50 arenas across the nation have been confirmed to open as voting centers, including LA Forum and Dodgers Stadium.

Top companies including the Gap, Inc.'s Old Navy, Target, Starbucks urged staff to volunteer at local polling centers ahead of the November election. The move aims to recruit more than 350,000 new volunteers through a corporate-led campaign called the Civic Alliance.

Nearly 800 companies including Nike, Abbott Laboratories and Qualcomm are either offering paid time off or creating flexible schedules for employees to vote.

Uber and Lyft will provide free or discounted rides to polling sites on November 3. This also applies to bikes and scooters. Since long lines are expected at polling sites, Uber will deploy more than 180 food trucks across 25 U.S. cities to deliver free food to polling stations on October 24 to November 3.

Fashion brands from Saks Fifth Avenue to Foot Locker have started to turn their stores into election hubs and launch voter registration portals to share resources on their websites ahead of November 3.

Also, retailers like Fossil and Kith plan to host live social events at stores to encourage shoppers to come in and complete voter registration with help from their employees. 

According to Simon Glass, CEO of the smart video platform Discuss.io, the rise in retailers transforming to registration centers is mainly because more consumers are now expecting their favorite brands to support social causes.

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