NEW YORK - Two city Board of Elections workers have died from COVID-19 – with at least 10 others testing positive for the virus, sparking fear within the board’s workforce, NY1 has learned.

Under a state directive, board employees are deemed “essential” and are required to come to work.

Candidates running for State Senate and Assembly submitted signatures last month to ensure their names appear on the ballot for the June 23rd State primary. Many candidates have challenged the authenticity of their opponents signatures’ in an attempt to knock those opponents off the ballot.

Board workers are in the middle of processing those challenges.

Critics say the state should end petition challenges so workers are no longer in danger.

Manhattan Democratic County Chair Keith Wright said on Twitter: “it’s time to shut down the @BOENYC offices, as a matter of public safety. People are dying. We need to end petition challenges now, and the legislature needs to act.”

In a statement, Valerie Diaz, spokeswoman for the vote of elections said, “The Boards of Election throughout the State were deemed essential. However, more than two weeks ago, the NYC Board made the decision to operate with a significantly reduced staff to meet all of its statutory and legal mandates. We also authorized all staff members over the age of 60 and those with underlying health issues to work from home. The Board is providing PPE to staff and has ensured that staff members and the public adhere to social distancing.”