From virtual campaigning to debates without audiences, coronavirus has already affected the 2020 presidential election, now it’s impacting the voting schedule.
The Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin (R) has just announced that the state will be postponing its primary over concerns of the spread of the coronavirus and “to best protect the health and safety of Louisiana voters and voting officials.”
Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces the Louisiana Primary scheduled for April 4 is being postponed until June 20 due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak and “to best protect the health and safety of Louisiana voters and voting officials.”
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 13, 2020
The primary, originally set for April 4, will now be postponed until June 20. Louisiana is the first state to postpone a primary amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Despite Louisiana’s decision, former Vice President Joe Biden released a statement saying healthy residents should vote.
“If voters are feeling healthy, not exhibiting symptoms, and don’t believe they’ve been exposed to COVID-19, please vote on Tuesday,” it reads.
The statement continues, “If voters are members of an at-risk population, exhibiting symptoms, or have been exposed to a diagnosed case of COVID-19, we encourage them to explore absentee ballots and vote by mail options.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders also addressed the upcoming primaries during a press conference.
“I think that the governors and the officials in the states that have elections scheduled for Tuesday have to balance things.” He added, “Again rescheduling elections is not something we do lightly or should do lightly.”
Watch his comments below:
We must learn important lessons from the coronavirus outbreak and make major changes to ensure that every American is taken care of in times of crisis. I’m addressing the nation now. Watch live: https://t.co/qGhaKWMl3G
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 13, 2020
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) recently introduced a bill to combat the virus titled the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, as IJR previously reported.
Pelosi held a press conference to provide an update on the bill.
The House speaker explained, “Senate Democratic leader Schumer and I, last weekend, called for further action to put families first.” She continued, “Today, we are passing a bill that does just that.”
Watch Pelosi’s remarks below:
I am delivering a statement about the #FamiliesFirst Coronavirus Response Act live from the U.S. Capitol. https://t.co/28zxsy5SBS
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 13, 2020
She proceeded to point out that one of the most important aspects of the bill is providing free testing.
As the number of coronavirus cases reportedly reaches more than 130,000 with more than 4,900 deaths, countries are continuing to take extraordinary measures to hold that number down.