Democratic primaries in Arizona, Florida, and Illinois are taking off Tuesday morning despite the continued spread of the coronavirus.
The three states have confirmed that residents will be allowed to follow regular protocol for voting at the polls. However, state officials insist they have taken necessary precautions to ensure the safety of voters.
Despite growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, Florida officials argue that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation to avoid gatherings of more than 50 people doesn’t apply where “precinct-based voting” is concerned.
As at least three state postpone their presidential primaries, Florida is "proceeding with tomorrow's scheduled election," @FLSecofState said today, arguing that "precinct-based voting…is unlike the gatherings our health professionals have advised Floridians to avoid"
— Kendall Verhovek (@kendallkarson) March 17, 2020
Florida Democratic and Republican lawmakers also insist early voting will likely offset the voter turnout. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R)also echoed similar sentiments.
“Probably most of the votes have already been cast,” DeSantis said.
A state Democratic official also said, “I don’t know how you would stop an election that’s 3/4 through. Over half of the election is in the bag.”
Illinois’ Democratic primary election will likely cause some form of confusion. MSNBC correspondent Garrett Haake has confirmed many election judges have stated that they would not be in attendance amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Owners of some of the precinct locations have also stated that they would be closed.
Good morning from Chicago, where the Democratic primary election will go on as scheduled, even as many election judges say they won’t show up, and some precinct location owners say their spaces are closed. It’s going to be a weird day…
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) March 17, 2020
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) opted to do the opposite. On Monday, DeWine filed a last-minute recommendation to postpone the state’s primary until June 2.
“During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis, to conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at an unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus,” he said.
DeWine later shared a series of tweets confirming the state’s decision and postponement of primary voting.
As such, @DrAmyActon will order the polls closed as a health emergency. While the polls will be closed tomorrow, Secretary of State @FrankLaRose will seek a remedy through the courts to extend voting options so that every voter who wants to vote will be granted that opportunity.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 17, 2020
He has also previously announced the closure of restaurants and bars throughout the state of Ohio in hopes of decreasing the spread of the virus.
The latest news follows the Democratic primary debate on Sunday. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced that the debate would be moved from Arizona to Washington, D.C. The DNC also opted not to record in front of a live studio audience.
When asked whether or not he thought it was a good idea to proceed with the primaries, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) suggested during Sunday night’s debate that governors follow the CDC guidelines.
“I would hope the governors listen to the public health experts,” Sanders said.
However, former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted a different perspective.
“The right to vote is the most sacred American right there is,” Biden tweeted on Sunday. “State election officials are working closely with public health officials to hold safe elections. If you are feeling healthy, not showing symptoms, and not at risk of being exposed to COVID-19, please vote on Tuesday.”