usatoday--2020-03-18--Biden is projected to win Illinois primary, in addition to Florida, taking two of three states votin

Biden is projected to win Illinois primary, in addition to Florida, taking two of three states voting Tuesday

Check back for updates as polls close in three states amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Former Vice President Joe Biden has beaten Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Illinois Democratic primary , according to Associated Press projections from voter surveys .
The projected outcome , though not unexpected , will further cement Biden ’ s place as the clear frontrunner in the race for the Democratic nomination .
The former vice president started his day Tuesday with a more than 153-delegate lead over Sanders .
Voting in Illinois was set to wrap up at 8 p.m. EDT but was extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County precincts .
Polling this month had put Biden ahead in Illinois with a large double-digit margin , and so the outcome in the Prairie State had long been forecast .
On the other hand , coronavirus fears and early reports of low turnout in the state had raised questions about the predictive value of recent polling .
There are 155 delegates at stake in Illinois , the second-largest delegate haul of the three states in play on Tuesday .
Voters in Florida and Arizona were also picking a Democratic candidate Tuesday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus has been thrust to the forefront of American consciousness .
Biden posted a tweet Tuesday encouraging voters to cast a ballot curbside or by mail , if possible .
Former Vice President Joe Biden has beaten Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in Florida ’ s Democratic primary , the biggest prize among Tuesday ’ s primaries with 219 pledged delegates , according to Associated Press projections from voter surveys .
The victory continues Biden ’ s sweep of southern states in the quest to challenge President Donald Trump in November .
Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona had 67 delegates at stake .
Ohio , with 136 delegates , postponed its vote because of concerns about coronavirus .
Biden ’ s win came as no surprise , after leading an average of statewide polling through Tuesday with 64 % to 25 % for Sanders , according to the tracking site FiveThirtyEight.com .
One key distinction between the candidates in Florida , which is home to about 1.5 million Cuban Americans , was over U.S. policy toward the island nation .
Sanders , a Democratic socialist , has praised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late dictator whose control over Cuba led to an estrangement from the U.S. for 50 years .
But Biden criticized Sanders for supposing communists in Cuba and other authoritarian regimes .
Chicago Board of Elections to go to court to extend voting by one hour in five precincts The Chicago Board of Elections is fighting to extend voting in five precincts by an hour Tuesday night amid low turnout due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Reports of numerous polling places without necessary equipment or poll workers popped up during the day , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor not postponing the primary in light of the outbreak .
Jim Allen , spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election , told reporters the board asked the state last week to either delay the primary or move to a mail-in only race , multiple media outlets reported .
The governor 's office has disputed this `` as a lie . ''
According to the Chicago Board of Elections , those five precincts “ will be open until 8 pm pending court order .
All remaining precincts close at 7 pm.
” Across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , efforts to contain the virus has escalated with thousands of schools temporarily closing , and restaurants shuttering to only provide take out or delivery services .
Trump on Monday issued guidelines that called for Americans to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people .
The 2020 Democratic primary broke the city ’ s record for early voting in a primary , with more than 145,000 people going to the polls early , according to the Chicago Tribune .
But , election Day voter turnout in Chicago remained dismal through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just over 267,000 people of 6 pm .
The Chicago Board of Elections tweeted earlier : “ This primary is happening in extraordinary times that we have never seen before .
We admire the strength of all Chicagoans that are helping ensure our democracy continues today.
” The Ohio Democratic Party sued election officials on Tuesday over their unusual decision to cancel in-person voting in the Buckeye State ’ s presidential primary because of the coronavirus , the latest legal fight to crop up over the move .
Democrats sued Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he does not have the legal authority to reschedule a make-up election absent action from state lawmakers .
Instead of setting a new election unilaterally , the suit seeks an extension of absentee balloting until late April .
Democrats , who filed the suit in the Ohio Supreme Court , said the litigation was intended in part to preserve the option of a future election .
Without it , they said , they are concerned that they might not get another shot at in-person voting .
`` This primary election must move forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Pepper .
“ Yesterday ’ s actions did not create unchecked authority with the governor or secretary of state to run a new election . ''
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine announced that the state would push back its election , originally scheduled for Tuesday , to June 2 because of coronavirus fears .
But Democratic officials have urged states that have yet to hold their primaries to avoid changing dates .
Ohio is one of several states , along with Louisiana , Kentucky and Maryland , that have postponed voting because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have requested that states “ use a variety of other critical mechanisms ” rather than moving primaries .
Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez said Tuesday that it is “ critical that states provide clarity and not confusion , which could lead to disenfranchising voters.
” CHICAGO -- Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and Chicago election officials feuded Tuesday over the state ’ s decision to push ahead with voting despite health concerns from the coronavirus pandemic .
Election Day voter turnout in Chicago was dismal – around 126,000 by 1 p.m. – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city and one-third the turnout pace of the 2020 primary election .
In the separate suburban Cook County , 119,000 had voted by 3 p.m. , also vastly below past primary turnouts .
Jim Allen , spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election , told reporters the board asked the state last week to either delay the primary or move to a mail-in only race , multiple media outlets reported .
That drew a sharply worded tweet from Anne Caprara , Pritzker ’ s chief of staff : “ This is a lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dealing with in this moment , I ’ m disgusted that Jim Allen would lie like this , ” Caprara said .
“ We offered them the national guard , young volunteers and assistance with keeping polling places clean.
” In another tweet , she added : “ The Governor has been trying to balance continuity of government , not disenfranchising people who already voted , avoiding a legal crisis & keeping everyone safe .
The Chicago Board of Elections have been worried about scoring cheap political points.
” Although Election Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the overall numbers could be lifted by strong early-voting figures .
The 2020 Democratic primary broke the city ’ s record for early voting in a primary , with more than 145,000 people going to the polls early , according to the Chicago Tribune .
It eclipsed the 140,000 who voted early in Chicago in the 2016 Democratic Primary .
The city also broke a World War II-era record with 118,000 vote-by-mail ballot requests .
Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden is the heavy favorite to win the most delegates in Illinois .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters in Illinois each found Biden ahead of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by more than 20 percentage points .
The Democratic National Committee is urging states who have yet to hold their primaries to avoid changing primary dates due to the coronavirus pandemic .
DNC chairman Tom Perez said in a statement that states should instead “ use a variety of other critical mechanisms that will make voting easier and safer for voters and election officials alike , ” instead “ of moving primaries to later in the cycle when timing around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states should use a vote-by-mail system or if they can still vote in-person under public health guidelines , then they should expand days and hours of early voting to reduce lines on Election Day .
`` As our country deals with the uncertainty of COVID-19 , it is critical that states provide clarity and not confusion , which could lead to disenfranchising voters , ” Perez said in the statement .
The statement comes less than 24 hours after Ohio postponed their primary election last minute .
The state ’ s primary was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new date has yet to be set .
Several other states , including Louisiana , Kentucky and Maryland , have also postponed their primary dates .
“ What happened in Ohio last night has only bred more chaos and confusion , and the Democratic Party leadership in Ohio is working tirelessly to protect the right to vote , ” Perez said in a statement .
“ Eligible voters deserve certainty , safety , and accessibility.
” “ The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy , and we must do everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right instead of bringing our democratic process to a halt , ” Perez concluded .
In a primary election suddenly consumed by fears about the coronavirus pandemic , seven in ten Florida voters said they trust former Vice President Joe Biden more than Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to handle a crisis , according to an NBC report on the poll .
The results were widely consistent across the states voting Tuesday , the first to cast a ballot amid an outbreak of COVID-19 that has disrupted the routines of millions of Americans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 63 % of Arizona voters said they would trust Biden more than Sanders to handle a crisis .
Because of the virus and increasingly stringent requests for social distancing , the National Election Pool did not conduct in-person exit polls for Tuesday 's primaries , NBC reported .
Instead , the outlets conducted a telephone survey of voters before Tuesday 's vote .
After some Florida polling sites opened late Tuesday , Florida election officials defended their decision to press forward with its presidential primaries amid a global coronavirus pandemic .
Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Broward County opened late but was `` up and running , '' The Tallahassee Democrat reported , and there were `` isolated precincts in Palm Beach County that have had some challenges . ''
`` All other counties reported on-time opening of all voting locations around the state , '' she said .
Lee said voters who did not want to go to polling sites over health concerns could pick up vote-by-mail ballots and turn them in by 7 p.m. EDT .
A group of civils rights organizations , including the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sued Lee and Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis in federal court Monday , seeking to extend vote-by-mail deadlines through March 27 , to allow people concerned about going to precincts a chance to vote .
Voting advocates say coronavirus led to chaos , maybe not lower turnout WASHINGTON – Democratic primary voters in Florida , Illinois and Arizona found some confusion at polling places that moved or closed because of coronavirus , but voting advocates said Tuesday that turnout might still eclipse the 2016 primary .
Alex Gulotta , Arizona state director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Local , said concerns about coronavirus prompted officials to close polling places , which confused voters about where to go .
In Maricopa County , which includes Phoenix , the number of polling places dropped from 240 to 151 , but anyone who is registered could vote at any of them .
But while in-person voting was running low at about 20 % of expectations , more people voted already by mail than in 2016 , Gulotta said .
“ We ’ ve had enormous turnout by mail , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but overall , voting is more than 2016.
” Jay Young , executive director of Common Cause Illinois , said problems emerged early with election judges who didn ’ t show up and polling places closed .
Poll workers complained about a lack of wipes or hand sanitizer , he said .
“ Here in Illinois , it ’ s been a hectic and trying day , ” he said , with in-person turnout running about one-third the rate of previous primaries .
Liza McClenaghan , board chair for Common Cause Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Palm Beach County didn ’ t report to work Tuesday .
Some had keys to polling places , which prevented them opening , and others had keys to equipment , which prevented using them , she said .
The county invited voters to visit one of four election offices , or to mail in ballots .
But McClenaghan said elderly voters have been asking where to vote as they discovered closed polling places and were suspicious of having mail-in ballots delivered by strangers .
“ We ’ ve had a dog ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” McClenaghan said .
“ We hope things improve shortly.
” Karen Hobert Flynn , president of Common Cause , said the challenges in the primaries will give election officials an opportunity to find remedies such as allowing more mail-in voting by the November election .
“ Today we ’ re faced with a challenge unlike anything we ’ ve seen in our 50 years of advocacy , a global pandemic where all 50 states have now declared a state of emergency , ” she said .
WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shortage in poll workers Tuesday morning as Florida held its presidential primary amid the nation ’ s coronavirus pandemic .
Some voters found closed doors when they arrived at their voting sites , The Palm Beach Post reported .
Some locations opened late but others remained closed , prompting officials to allow voters pick up vote-by-mail ballots at any of the county ’ s election offices .
Ahead of Election Day , around 800 poll workers notified Palm Beach elected officials they would not work because of concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palm Beach County ’ s 454 voting sites .
Penny Powell of West Palm Beach told The Post she went to her polling place , Pine Jog Environmental Center , to find it closed .
She said a park worker sent her to the Supervisor of Elections ' main office , where she was able to vote .
“ They ’ re both close to each other so it wasn ’ t out of the way , ” she said .
“ So I ’ m good with it.
” She did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Former Vice President Joe Biden is heavily favored to defeat Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in Florida ’ s Democratic presidential primary .
But turnout is a major wild card , particularly with the possibility it could disproportionately dissuade senior voters from the polls .
Biden performs better among old voters while young voters overwhelmingly back Sanders .
At one Palm Beach County location , the King ’ s Point clubhouse west of Delray Beach , only 32 people had voted as of noon .
Poll workers there said they expected a low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at other locations , voters said they waited in line for nearly an hour .
As coronavirus precautions , voters are told to space out six feet apart as they wait to vote .
WASHINGTON – Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan announced Tuesday his state would postpone its primary , moving it from April 28 to June 2 .
The move comes as Arizona , Florida , and Illinois hold their Democratic presidential primary elections Tuesday .
Ohio closed its polling places after Gov .
Mike DeWine , a Republican , declared a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 a unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus , '' Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine said in a release late Monday .
The virus , which has been named COVID-19 , already appears to have depressed turnout in morning voting in Chicago .
The Chicago Board of Elections said there was `` extremely low turnout '' in morning voting .
From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. EDT , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Board said , as opposed to 30,000 votes that would be cast in a low turnout election .
Former Vice President Joe Biden currently leads the national delegate count with 898 , whereas Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , has 745 delegates .
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , D-Hawaii , has two delegates .
Former Vice President Joe Biden is heavily favored to defeat Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders as Arizona Democrats head to the polls for the state ’ s primary election amid the global pandemic .
Maricopa County election officials , in reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places and made the remaining 151 voting locations `` vote centers , ” allowing voters to vote at any location , not just the one in their neighborhood .
Sanders visited Phoenix earlier this month to bolster his campaign .
He is counting on the state 's significant Latino population to provide a boost for him , but recent polling suggests he remains well behind here .

Maureen Groppe, Ledyard King, John Fritze, Bart Jansen and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

Biden projected to win Arizona, capping wins in all three states voting Tuesday and continuing his streak over Sanders
Show Caption Hide Caption Biden to Sanders voters: 'I hear you. I know what we have to do.' Joe Biden addresses voters of his opponent Senator Bernie Sanders, seemingly asking for their support in the upcoming presidential election. USA TODAY
Check back for updates as polls close in three states amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Former Vice President Joe Biden swept all three states voting Tuesday in a series of primaries that were heavily influenced by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
His last win of the night came in Arizona, where the Associated Press projected a victory through voter surveys.
Biden secured early projected wins in Florida and Illinois, where he was long heavily favored to win, and he captured the state of Arizona shortly after polls there closed at 10 p.m. EDT. In all, more than 440 delegates were up for grabs in the latest round of voting, and Biden’s projected victories handed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders a formidable challenge to catch up.
It was the first series of primaries to take place amid the national state of emergency President Donald Trump declared over the coronavirus pandemic, a circumstance that had the potential to upend the candidates’ messages as well as the technical process of running a primary election.
The Democratic primary schedule has a bit of a lull for the next month.
Puerto Rico holds a primary March 29. April 4 primaries include Hawaii with 24 delegates, Alaska with 15 and Wyoming’s caucuses with 14. Wisconsin has a primary April 7.
And then on April 28, five states will make their choices, including New York with 274 delegates and Pennsylvania with 186 delegates.
Ohioans were set to cast their ballots on Tuesday but state officials there announced they would postpone the election until sometime after the outbreak had passed.
“This pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives, and every aspect of this campaign,” Biden said in a video streamed from his home in Delaware, where he eschewed the traditional rally to deliver his election night remarks. “It’s at moments like these that we realize we need to put politics aside and work together as Americans.”
Both candidates avoided attacks on each other, or even discussing the latest contours of the race.
“In this moment of crisis it is imperative that we stand together,” Sanders said in his own video message. “This is a moment that we’ve got to be working together.”
Heading into the election, Biden had a better than 153-delegate lead over Sanders.
Trump, who never faced a significant challenge, also swept the primaries Tuesday and exceeded the 1,276 delegates needed to become the GOP’s presumptive nominee.
- John Fritze
Biden hopes to complete Tuesday sweep with uncertain Arizona
As Arizona’s polls closed Tuesday with uncertain results, former Vice President Joe Biden looked to add to his Democratic primary wins in Florida and Illinois against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, according to Associated Press projections from voter surveys.
Biden’s victories came on the same night President Donald Trump locked up the Republican nomination for his re-election.
Biden said from his home in Wilmington, Del., that the victories demonstrated a broad coalition to beat Trump, including blacks, Hispanics, suburban women and veterans. He commended Sanders’ supporters and said they share a vision for affordable health care, a need to reduce income inequality and to fight climate change.
“Sen. Sanders and I may disagree on tactics, but we share a common vision,” Biden said. “Sen. Sanders and his supporters have brought a remarkable passion and tenacity to all of these issues.”
Florida offered the biggest prize for Biden, with 219 pledged delegates. At stake in Illinois were 155 delegates and in Arizona were 67 delegates.
Ohio, with 136 delegates, postponed its vote because of concerns about coronavirus.
The virus declared a worldwide pandemic wreaked havoc with the primaries in all three states, according to voting advocates. Poll workers failed to show up to work. Election officials closed polling places for lack of staff and to move them away from residential facilities for the elderly. And workers lacked wipes and hand sanitizer to reduce the spread of disease.
“This pandemic has impacted every aspect of our life, and every aspect of this campaign,” Biden said. “Tackling this pandemic is a national emergency akin to fighting a war.”
But the victories built on Biden’s lead toward meeting the 1,991 delegates needed to clinch the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. Biden had at least 1,121 delegates, compared to 839 for Sanders, according to an AP tabulation.
Political experts say the remaining states offer little chance for Sanders to make large enough strides to overtake Biden. For example, the Florida win continued Biden’s successful march across the south, after South Carolina revived his campaign Feb. 29. He swept southern states on March 3 Super Tuesday. Still ahead are Georgia May 19 and Louisiana on June 20.
The Democratic primary schedule has a bit of a lull for the next month.
Puerto Rico holds a primary March 29. April 4 primaries include Hawaii with 24 delegates, Alaska with 15 and Wyoming’s caucuses with 14. Wisconsin has a primary April 7.
And then on April 28, five states will make their choices, including New York with 274 delegates and Pennsylvania with 186 delegates.
- Bart Jansen
Trump reaches delegates to become the presumptive Republican nominee
By winning the Florida and Illinois Republican primaries Tuesday night, President Donald Trump became the presumptive Republican party presidential nominee.
He exceeded the 1,276 delegates needed to secure the nomination.
“The Republican Party is more unified and energized than ever before and it’s because of President Trump’s leadership and clear record of accomplishment on behalf of all Americans,” Brad Parscale, Trump’s 2020 campaign manager said in a statement.
Trump easily won every state that held a contest in the Republican primary.
--Savannah Behrmann
Biden projected to win Illinois primary
Former Vice President Joe Biden has beaten Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Illinois Democratic primary, according to Associated Press projections from voter surveys.
The projected outcome, though not unexpected, will further cement Biden’s place as the clear frontrunner in the race for the Democratic nomination. The former vice president started his day Tuesday with a more than 153-delegate lead over Sanders.
Voting in Illinois was set to wrap up at 8 p.m. EDT but was extended by an hour in dozens of Cook County precincts.
Polling this month had put Biden ahead in Illinois with a large double-digit margin, and so the outcome in the Prairie State had long been forecast. On the other hand, coronavirus fears and early reports of low turnout in the state had raised questions about the predictive value of recent polling.
There are 155 delegates at stake in Illinois, the second-largest delegate haul of the three states in play on Tuesday.
Voters in Florida and Arizona were also picking a Democratic candidate Tuesday in the first series of primary elections since the coronavirus has been thrust to the forefront of American consciousness. Biden posted a tweet Tuesday encouraging voters to cast a ballot curbside or by mail, if possible.
- John Fritze
Biden is projected to win Florida
Former Vice President Joe Biden has beaten Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in Florida’s Democratic primary, the biggest prize among Tuesday’s primaries with 219 pledged delegates, according to Associated Press projections from voter surveys.
The victory continues Biden’s sweep of southern states in the quest to challenge President Donald Trump in November.
Illinois was also voting with 155 delegates and Arizona had 67 delegates at stake. Ohio, with 136 delegates, postponed its vote because of concerns about coronavirus.
Biden’s win came as no surprise, after leading an average of statewide polling through Tuesday with 64% to 25% for Sanders, according to the tracking site FiveThirtyEight.com.
One key distinction between the candidates in Florida, which is home to about 1.5 million Cuban Americans, was over U.S. policy toward the island nation.
Sanders, a Democratic socialist, has praised the literacy programs of Fidel Castro, the late dictator whose control over Cuba led to an estrangement from the U.S. for 50 years. But Biden criticized Sanders for supposing communists in Cuba and other authoritarian regimes.
- Bart Jansen
Chicago Board of Elections to go to court to extend voting by one hour in five precincts
The Chicago Board of Elections is fighting to extend voting in five precincts by an hour Tuesday night amid low turnout due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Reports of numerous polling places without necessary equipment or poll workers popped up during the day, as election officials blamed the state’s governor not postponing the primary in light of the outbreak.
Jim Allen, spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election, told reporters the board asked the state last week to either delay the primary or move to a mail-in only race, multiple media outlets reported. The governor's office has disputed this "as a lie."
The board is going to court to extend voting time by one hour for 5 pct's: Pct 19 Ward 15; Pct 43 Ward 21; Pct 45 Ward 34; Pct 13 Ward 43; Pct 37 Ward 46. These precincts will be open until 8 pm pending court order. All remaining precincts close at 7pm. — ChicagoElection (@ChicagoElection) March 17, 2020
According to the Chicago Board of Elections, those five precincts “will be open until 8 pm pending court order. All remaining precincts close at 7 pm.”
Across the state of Illinois, and the country, efforts to contain the virus has escalated with thousands of schools temporarily closing, and restaurants shuttering to only provide take out or delivery services. Trump on Monday issued guidelines that called for Americans to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people.
The 2020 Democratic primary broke the city’s record for early voting in a primary, with more than 145,000 people going to the polls early, according to the Chicago Tribune. But, election Day voter turnout in Chicago remained dismal through the night, with the voter turnout at just over 267,000 people of 6 pm.
Voter turnout as of 6pm pic.twitter.com/R0OBaQBr8r — ChicagoElection (@ChicagoElection) March 17, 2020
The Chicago Board of Elections tweeted earlier: “This primary is happening in extraordinary times that we have never seen before. We admire the strength of all Chicagoans that are helping ensure our democracy continues today.”
- Savannah Behrmann
Ohio Dems file suit to extend election
The Ohio Democratic Party sued election officials on Tuesday over their unusual decision to cancel in-person voting in the Buckeye State’s presidential primary because of the coronavirus, the latest legal fight to crop up over the move.
Democrats sued Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, arguing he does not have the legal authority to reschedule a make-up election absent action from state lawmakers. Instead of setting a new election unilaterally, the suit seeks an extension of absentee balloting until late April.
Democrats, who filed the suit in the Ohio Supreme Court, said the litigation was intended in part to preserve the option of a future election. Without it, they said, they are concerned that they might not get another shot at in-person voting.
"This primary election must move forward," said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper. “Yesterday’s actions did not create unchecked authority with the governor or secretary of state to run a new election."
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the state would push back its election, originally scheduled for Tuesday, to June 2 because of coronavirus fears.
But Democratic officials have urged states that have yet to hold their primaries to avoid changing dates. Ohio is one of several states, along with Louisiana, Kentucky and Maryland, that have postponed voting because of the virus.
National party officials have requested that states “use a variety of other critical mechanisms” rather than moving primaries. Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez said Tuesday that it is “critical that states provide clarity and not confusion, which could lead to disenfranchising voters.”
- The Columbus Dispatch. John Fritze/USA TODAY
Illinois, Chicago election officials spar over coronavirus decision
CHICAGO -- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago election officials feuded Tuesday over the state’s decision to push ahead with voting despite health concerns from the coronavirus pandemic.
Election Day voter turnout in Chicago was dismal – around 126,000 by 1 p.m. – below even local mayoral elections in the city and one-third the turnout pace of the 2020 primary election. In the separate suburban Cook County, 119,000 had voted by 3 p.m., also vastly below past primary turnouts.
Jim Allen, spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election, told reporters the board asked the state last week to either delay the primary or move to a mail-in only race, multiple media outlets reported.
That drew a sharply worded tweet from Anne Caprara, Pritzker’s chief of staff:
“This is a lie. And frankly, given what we are dealing with in this moment, I’m disgusted that Jim Allen would lie like this,” Caprara said. “We offered them the national guard, young volunteers and assistance with keeping polling places clean.”
This is a lie. And frankly, given what we are dealing with in this moment, I’m disgusted that Jim Allen would lie like this. We offered them the national guard, young volunteers and assistance with keeping polling places clean. Statement coming in a few minutes from our office. https://t.co/2oqLvJ8mlw — Anne Caprara (@anacaprana) March 17, 2020
In another tweet, she added: “The Governor has been trying to balance continuity of government, not disenfranchising people who already voted, avoiding a legal crisis & keeping everyone safe. The Chicago Board of Elections have been worried about scoring cheap political points.”
Although Election Day turnout will likely remain low in Chicago, the overall numbers could be lifted by strong early-voting figures.
The 2020 Democratic primary broke the city’s record for early voting in a primary, with more than 145,000 people going to the polls early, according to the Chicago Tribune. It eclipsed the 140,000 who voted early in Chicago in the 2016 Democratic Primary. The city also broke a World War II-era record with 118,000 vote-by-mail ballot requests.
Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden is the heavy favorite to win the most delegates in Illinois. The last two polls taken of likely Democratic voters in Illinois each found Biden ahead of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by more than 20 percentage points.
-- Joey Garrison and Grace Hauck
DNC calls on states to avoid changing primary dates
The Democratic National Committee is urging states who have yet to hold their primaries to avoid changing primary dates due to the coronavirus pandemic.
DNC chairman Tom Perez said in a statement that states should instead “use a variety of other critical mechanisms that will make voting easier and safer for voters and election officials alike,” instead “of moving primaries to later in the cycle when timing around the virus remains unpredictable.”
He noted that states should use a vote-by-mail system or if they can still vote in-person under public health guidelines, then they should expand days and hours of early voting to reduce lines on Election Day.
"As our country deals with the uncertainty of COVID-19, it is critical that states provide clarity and not confusion, which could lead to disenfranchising voters,” Perez said in the statement.
The statement comes less than 24 hours after Ohio postponed their primary election last minute. The state’s primary was supposed to be held Tuesday and a new date has yet to be set. Several other states, including Louisiana, Kentucky and Maryland, have also postponed their primary dates.
“What happened in Ohio last night has only bred more chaos and confusion, and the Democratic Party leadership in Ohio is working tirelessly to protect the right to vote,” Perez said in a statement. “Eligible voters deserve certainty, safety, and accessibility.”
“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and we must do everything we can to protect and expand that right instead of bringing our democratic process to a halt,” Perez concluded.
-- Rebecca Morin
Primary day poll shows Joe Biden with edge on handling crisis
In a primary election suddenly consumed by fears about the coronavirus pandemic, seven in ten Florida voters said they trust former Vice President Joe Biden more than Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to handle a crisis, according to an NBC report on the poll.
The results were widely consistent across the states voting Tuesday, the first to cast a ballot amid an outbreak of COVID-19 that has disrupted the routines of millions of Americans. More than six in 10 Illinois voters and 63% of Arizona voters said they would trust Biden more than Sanders to handle a crisis.
Because of the virus and increasingly stringent requests for social distancing, the National Election Pool did not conduct in-person exit polls for Tuesday's primaries, NBC reported. Instead, the outlets conducted a telephone survey of voters before Tuesday's vote.
-- John Fritze
Florida election officials defend decision to maintain in-person primary voting
After some Florida polling sites opened late Tuesday, Florida election officials defended their decision to press forward with its presidential primaries amid a global coronavirus pandemic.
Secretary of State Laurel Lee said one precinct in Broward County opened late but was "up and running," The Tallahassee Democrat reported, and there were "isolated precincts in Palm Beach County that have had some challenges."
"All other counties reported on-time opening of all voting locations around the state," she said.
Lee said voters who did not want to go to polling sites over health concerns could pick up vote-by-mail ballots and turn them in by 7 p.m. EDT.
A group of civils rights organizations, including the New Florida Majority, LatinoJustice and Dream Defenders, sued Lee and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in federal court Monday, seeking to extend vote-by-mail deadlines through March 27, to allow people concerned about going to precincts a chance to vote.
-- Joey Garrison and The Tallahassee Democrat
Voting advocates say coronavirus led to chaos, maybe not lower turnout
WASHINGTON – Democratic primary voters in Florida, Illinois and Arizona found some confusion at polling places that moved or closed because of coronavirus, but voting advocates said Tuesday that turnout might still eclipse the 2016 primary.
Alex Gulotta, Arizona state director of the advocacy group All Voting Is Local, said concerns about coronavirus prompted officials to close polling places, which confused voters about where to go. In Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, the number of polling places dropped from 240 to 151, but anyone who is registered could vote at any of them.
But while in-person voting was running low at about 20% of expectations, more people voted already by mail than in 2016, Gulotta said.
“We’ve had enormous turnout by mail,” he said. “Turnout has been very low today, but overall, voting is more than 2016.”
Jay Young, executive director of Common Cause Illinois, said problems emerged early with election judges who didn’t show up and polling places closed. Poll workers complained about a lack of wipes or hand sanitizer, he said.
“Here in Illinois, it’s been a hectic and trying day,” he said, with in-person turnout running about one-third the rate of previous primaries.
Liza McClenaghan, board chair for Common Cause Florida, said a number of poll workers in Palm Beach County didn’t report to work Tuesday. Some had keys to polling places, which prevented them opening, and others had keys to equipment, which prevented using them, she said.
The county invited voters to visit one of four election offices, or to mail in ballots. But McClenaghan said elderly voters have been asking where to vote as they discovered closed polling places and were suspicious of having mail-in ballots delivered by strangers.
“We’ve had a dog’s breakfast about information for poll closings,” McClenaghan said. “We hope things improve shortly.”
Karen Hobert Flynn, president of Common Cause, said the challenges in the primaries will give election officials an opportunity to find remedies such as allowing more mail-in voting by the November election.
“Today we’re faced with a challenge unlike anything we’ve seen in our 50 years of advocacy, a global pandemic where all 50 states have now declared a state of emergency,” she said.
– Bart Jansen
Florida deals with poll-worker shortage, closed voting sites due to coronavirus
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Palm Beach County, Florida faced a shortage in poll workers Tuesday morning as Florida held its presidential primary amid the nation’s coronavirus pandemic.
Some voters found closed doors when they arrived at their voting sites, The Palm Beach Post reported. Some locations opened late but others remained closed, prompting officials to allow voters pick up vote-by-mail ballots at any of the county’s election offices.
Ahead of Election Day, around 800 poll workers notified Palm Beach elected officials they would not work because of concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak, leaving nearly 3,000 workers to cover Palm Beach County’s 454 voting sites.
Penny Powell of West Palm Beach told The Post she went to her polling place, Pine Jog Environmental Center, to find it closed. She said a park worker sent her to the Supervisor of Elections' main office, where she was able to vote.
“They’re both close to each other so it wasn’t out of the way,” she said. “So I’m good with it.” She did not know why her location was not open.
Former Vice President Joe Biden is heavily favored to defeat Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in Florida’s Democratic presidential primary. But turnout is a major wild card, particularly with the possibility it could disproportionately dissuade senior voters from the polls. Biden performs better among old voters while young voters overwhelmingly back Sanders.
At one Palm Beach County location, the King’s Point clubhouse west of Delray Beach, only 32 people had voted as of noon. Poll workers there said they expected a low turnout because of the coronavirus.
But at other locations, voters said they waited in line for nearly an hour. As coronavirus precautions, voters are told to space out six feet apart as they wait to vote.
-- Joey Garrison and The Palm Beach Post
Maryland postpones primary to June as 3 states vote
WASHINGTON – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday his state would postpone its primary, moving it from April 28 to June 2.
The move comes as Arizona, Florida, and Illinois hold their Democratic presidential primary elections Tuesday. Ohio closed its polling places after Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, declared a "health emergency."
"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 a unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus," Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a release late Monday.
The virus, which has been named COVID-19, already appears to have depressed turnout in morning voting in Chicago. The Chicago Board of Elections said there was "extremely low turnout" in morning voting. From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. EDT, only 10,000 votes were cast, the Board said, as opposed to 30,000 votes that would be cast in a low turnout election.
Former Vice President Joe Biden currently leads the national delegate count with 898, whereas Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has 745 delegates. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, has two delegates.
-- Nicholas Wu
Arizona's largest county forced to close some polling locations
Former Vice President Joe Biden is heavily favored to defeat Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders as Arizona Democrats head to the polls for the state’s primary election amid the global pandemic.
Maricopa County election officials, in reaction to the coronavirus, closed 80 polling places and made the remaining 151 voting locations "vote centers,” allowing voters to vote at any location, not just the one in their neighborhood.
Sanders visited Phoenix earlier this month to bolster his campaign. He is counting on the state's significant Latino population to provide a boost for him, but recent polling suggests he remains well behind here.
--Ronald J. Hansen and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Arizona Republic.


usatoday--2020-03-17--Tuesday Democratic primary elections: Get live results from Arizona, Florida, Illinois

Three states – Arizona , Florida , and Illinois – held primary elections tonight , with former Vice President Joe @ @ @ @ @ leading the Democratic race .
Rep Tulsi Gabbard is still in the race , but @ @ @ @ @ by hundreds of delegates .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine 's administration ordered polls closed @ @ @ @ @ health emergency '' because of the coronavirus pandemic .
DeWine announced this change at 10:08 @ @ @ @ @ ordered polls to remain open .
Many states and cities have taken extra precautions to @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Dozens of K-12 schools and universities have suspended classes or moved classes online @ @ @ @ @ or takeout only .
Many Americans have begun working from home and practicing social distancing @ @ @ @ @ live coverage of the primaries all night and you can get results as they start @ @ @ @ @ close .

Tuesday Democratic primary elections: Get live results from Arizona, Florida, Illinois
Show Caption Hide Caption Biden to Sanders voters: 'I hear you. I know what we have to do.' Joe Biden addresses voters of his opponent Senator Bernie Sanders, seemingly asking for their support in the upcoming presidential election. USA TODAY
Three states – Arizona, Florida, and Illinois – held primary elections tonight, with former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders leading the Democratic race. Rep Tulsi Gabbard is still in the race, but she trails Biden and Sanders by hundreds of delegates.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's administration ordered polls closed on Tuesday as a "health emergency" because of the coronavirus pandemic.
DeWine announced this change at 10:08 p.m. Monday after a judge ordered polls to remain open.
Many states and cities have taken extra precautions to slow the spread of the virus. Dozens of K-12 schools and universities have suspended classes or moved classes online. Restaurants are doing delivery or takeout only. Many Americans have begun working from home and practicing social distancing.
USA TODAY will have live coverage of the primaries all night and you can get results as they start coming in after the polls close.


usatoday--2020-03-17--'A big, bold package': Trump calls for pumping $1 trillion into economy to counter coronavirus hit

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump urged Congress Tuesday to work with him on a `` big , bold '' stimulus package to counter the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic and backed the idea of sending cash to Americans to help them pay their bills .
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , Trump 's lead negotiator with Congress for the rescue package , said it could pour $ 1 trillion into the U.S. economy .
As health officials advise Americans to practice `` social distancing '' to prevent contagion , there have been widespread flight cancellations , school closures and shutdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The economic forecasts have grown increasing dire , and Trump said Monday that the economy `` may be '' headed for a recession .
“ We ’ re going big , '' Trump said .
Trump had initially proposed a payroll tax holiday , but many lawmakers , including some in the GOP , expressed skepticism about that idea , saying it would n't help workers who lose their jobs because of the coronavirus shutdown or those who ca n't work because they lack child care .
Trump also said the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We don ’ t want airlines going out of business or people losing their jobs and not having money to live , ” Trump said at a news conference .
Relief for airlines ?
'We do n't want airlines going out of business : ' Trump says financial help on way as travel grinds to a halt To help workers and families cope with the dispruptions , Mnuchin said one option under consideration is sending checks directly to Americans .
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , has proposed cutting $ 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're looking at sending checks to Americans immediately , '' Mnuchin said , although he did not say how big those checks might be .
Mnuchin said the measures under consideration are `` stuff that needs to be done now . ''
The administration pitched the economic stimulus package while the Senate considers a House-passed bill aimed at providing paid sick leave , among other initiatives .
Many senators are looking at the possibility of approving the House bill and then beginning work right away on a larger package , although there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the House package with bigger steps such as sending checks to American households .
For the moment , many Senate Republicans are setting aside worries about the deficit impact of the package , which could reach $ 1 trillion or more .
“ Well , I 'm about as conservative fiscally as you can be , ” said Sen. John Kennedy , R-La .
“ This would not be the first preference of anybody .
But then it was n't the first preference of anybody that some of our people got sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with it , and this is not a time to be cheap.
” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-NY .
has unveiled a proposal to spend $ 750 billion to address a number of sectors , including emergency child care for health care workers and first responders ; medicine and food delivery systems for seniors ; and assistance to keep public transportation running .
U.S. stocks stabilized after the Trump administration said it planned financial support for an airline industry devastated by the pandemic .
The gains follow the market 's worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Standard & Poor ’ s 500 both rose sharply Tuesday after suffering their worst day since the “ Black Monday ” stock market crash of 1987 .
Impact on elections : As coronavirus pandemic delays 2020 primaries , is it time to worry about the November election ?
Meanwhile , Trump announced the expansion of telehealth services for those on Medicare , noting that patients who are ill with the coronavirus would be able to access any doctor “ at no additional cost.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fast-food industry , which he said has promised to keep drive-thru lines open even as dine-in service has been shut down at many eateries across the country .
Mnuchin stressed that many fast-food chains have mobile apps that will allow consumers to order food ahead of time .
`` We expect they will be able to feed a large part of the population , '' he said .
Trump urged Americans to remain vigilant – to stay home as much as possible and limit gatherings to 10 people – for at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight that invisible enemy , I guess unknown , but we are getting to know it quickly , '' he said .
`` One day we will be standing up here and be saying , 'Well , we won . '
'' Want to talk more about politics ?
: Join our Facebook group : ‘ Across the Aisle , Across the Nation .
’

Christal Hayes, Michael Collins and David Jackson, USA TODAY

'A big, bold package': Trump calls for pumping $1 trillion into economy to counter coronavirus hit
Show Caption Hide Caption Steve Mnuchin: Coronavirus impact on airlines 'worse than 9/11' Steve Mnuchin said the coronavirus impact on the airline industry is "worse than 9/11." Associated Press, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump urged Congress Tuesday to work with him on a "big, bold" stimulus package to counter the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic and backed the idea of sending cash to Americans to help them pay their bills.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Trump's lead negotiator with Congress for the rescue package, said it could pour $1 trillion into the U.S. economy. As health officials advise Americans to practice "social distancing" to prevent contagion, there have been widespread flight cancellations, school closures and shutdowns of bars, restaurants and shopping malls. The economic forecasts have grown increasing dire, and Trump said Monday that the economy "may be" headed for a recession.
“We’re going big," Trump said. Trump had initially proposed a payroll tax holiday, but many lawmakers, including some in the GOP, expressed skepticism about that idea, saying it wouldn't help workers who lose their jobs because of the coronavirus shutdown or those who can't work because they lack child care. Trump also said the government should help the airlines weather the crisis.
"We don’t want airlines going out of business or people losing their jobs and not having money to live,” Trump said at a news conference.
Relief for airlines? 'We don't want airlines going out of business:' Trump says financial help on way as travel grinds to a halt
To help workers and families cope with the dispruptions, Mnuchin said one option under consideration is sending checks directly to Americans. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, has proposed cutting $1,000 checks for all American adults.
“We're looking at sending checks to Americans immediately," Mnuchin said, although he did not say how big those checks might be.
Mnuchin said the measures under consideration are "stuff that needs to be done now."
The administration pitched the economic stimulus package while the Senate considers a House-passed bill aimed at providing paid sick leave, among other initiatives.
Many senators are looking at the possibility of approving the House bill and then beginning work right away on a larger package, although there's some talk of melding the elements of the House package with bigger steps such as sending checks to American households.
For the moment, many Senate Republicans are setting aside worries about the deficit impact of the package, which could reach $1 trillion or more.
“Well, I'm about as conservative fiscally as you can be,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. “This would not be the first preference of anybody. But then it wasn't the first preference of anybody that some of our people got sick. So we've got to deal with it, and this is not a time to be cheap.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY. has unveiled a proposal to spend $750 billion to address a number of sectors, including emergency child care for health care workers and first responders; medicine and food delivery systems for seniors; and assistance to keep public transportation running.
U.S. stocks stabilized after the Trump administration said it planned financial support for an airline industry devastated by the pandemic. The gains follow the market's worst sell-off in more than three decades on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 both rose sharply Tuesday after suffering their worst day since the “Black Monday” stock market crash of 1987.
Impact on elections: As coronavirus pandemic delays 2020 primaries, is it time to worry about the November election?
Meanwhile, Trump announced the expansion of telehealth services for those on Medicare, noting that patients who are ill with the coronavirus would be able to access any doctor “at no additional cost.”
Trump also met Tuesday with members of the fast-food industry, which he said has promised to keep drive-thru lines open even as dine-in service has been shut down at many eateries across the country. Mnuchin stressed that many fast-food chains have mobile apps that will allow consumers to order food ahead of time.
"We expect they will be able to feed a large part of the population," he said.
Trump urged Americans to remain vigilant – to stay home as much as possible and limit gatherings to 10 people – for at least two more weeks.
"We have to fight that invisible enemy, I guess unknown, but we are getting to know it quickly," he said. "One day we will be standing up here and be saying, 'Well, we won.'"
Want to talk more about politics?: Join our Facebook group: ‘Across the Aisle, Across the Nation.’
- Contributing: Courtney Subramanian


usatoday--2020-03-17--'Extraordinary circumstances': Congress mulls voting remotely to avoid coronavirus threat

WASHINGTON — Congress is in a race against the coronavirus – and not just to help Americans confront the global pandemic .
The virus is starting to prevent the world 's greatest deliberative body from deliberating .
More than a dozen members are self-quarantining in their homes .
Even more staffers are staying away from the Capitol .
Offices have been shuttered .
And suddenly the idea of changing foundational Senate rules to allow voting from remote locations rather than all together has become a serious proposition in a body that prides itself on following time-honored customs .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , the second most powerful Republican in the chamber .
“ But these are extraordinary circumstances.
” Senate rules require a senator to be physically present during a roll call vote .
Senators may vote from their desks or in the well of the chamber , but they must be present , so the clerk can record their vote .
Changing that likely would need a supermajority of 67 votes , the same number needed to override a presidential veto .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chamber 's rule but was willing to bend them a little by extending the time senators can cast floor votes .
`` It 's not set in stone that a roll call vote goes on for only 15 minutes , '' he said , referring to the usual time limit .
`` We can lengthen the amount of the roll call vote .
People could come over one at a time , they could come over in small groups .
We will deal with the social distancing issue without fundamentally changing Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates : $ 1,000 for all considered ; death toll reaches 94 ; NYC weighs shelter in place Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin would like to see that happen .
The second most powerful Democrat in the Senate was on the floor Tuesday urging a change to `` remote voting '' and calling for the Senate at least to start holding committee meetings by teleconference or video links .
That would allow the exchange of ideas without forcing lawmakers , their aides , police and other Capitol Hill staff to congregate and potentially spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think anew about the way the senate does business , ” Durbin said .
“ If we ’ re telling people to do their work from home when possible – teleconferencing as opposed to being physically present – what are we doing to achieve the same thing ?
” Store closings : Macy 's , Bloomingdale 's , Nordstrom to close all stores because of coronavirus The House , which is on recess until next week , is contemplating a similar step .
The issue has been discussed with Speaker Nancy Pelosi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to explore that procedure has been launched .
House leaders are reportedly developing a plan to limit the number of lawmakers voting at the same time to no more than 30 as form of crowd control , according to Bloomberg News .
The list of members who are self-quarantining because of potential exposure to people who have the virus has grown to 13 , including Cornyn 's fellow Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz .
Earlier this week , after a staffer in the office of Rep. David Schweikert , R-Ariz. , tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been named COVID-19 , several House members , including Rep. Andy Kim , D-N.J. , closed their Washington , D.C. , offices .
A former staffer on the House Intelligence Committee , Daniel Goldman , who played a major public role during Trump 's impeachment proceedings , also tested positive for the virus .
Relief plan : Mnuchin says proposal would inject ' a trillion dollars into the economy , ' includes giving checks to Americans And on the Senate side , a staffer in the office of Sen. Maria Cantwell , D-Wash. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure of her office , though Cantwell 's office said the staffer had no contact with the senator or other lawmakers .
Several senators , including Sen. Tom Cotton , R-Ark.
, closed their offices in response to the staffer 's positive test .
Other lawmakers like Cruz and Rep. Don Beyer , D-Va. , have self-quarantined after coming into contact with people who later tested positive for the coronavirus .
No more than 10 people at a time The Trump administration issued new guidance Monday recommending against gatherings of more than 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a problem for the Senate , which has 100 members , and the House of Representatives , which currently has 430 members ( there are five vacancies ) .
And none of that includes the hundreds of staffers , reporters , and support staff filtering in and out of the Capitol complex .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people older than 60 to avoid large crowds .
The average age is 63 in the Senate and 58 in the House .
Durbin noted the `` challenging '' circumstances the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers but also aides and staff who are being asked to ignore federal guidelines and assemble in one place .
`` There are policemen .
There are people engaged in basic activates here to keep this magnificent structure functioning And they come here now in the midst of a public health challenge where most every American has been told stay home , '' he said .
More : 'Like preparing for a hurricane ' : Lawmakers worry about coronavirus hitting them while helping manage response Need to vote on coronavirus legislation Until Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to come to Washington to consider and vote on the various relief packages being proposed , negotiated and brought to the floor .
Measures to assist workers who find themselves jobless , distressed industries like airlines whose businesses have cratered , and health care providers who need protections continue to be negotiated by lawmakers and their staffs – face-to-face in most cases .
`` The Senate will not leave until we have processed yet another bill to address this emergency , '' McConnell told reporters Tuesday , speaking from a podium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disinfected .
Much of the heavy lifting on these bills should be done as quickly as possible , Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla , told reporters Monday , in case potential changes to airline and travel schedules make it difficult to bring the Senate back into session .
“ I do n't think we can operate as if we can just bring the Senate and the House back together whenever we want , '' he said .
Sen. Doug Jones , D-Ala. , told reporters Tuesday there was an eerie feeling around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation made it `` tough '' when trying to take a vote .
“ It ’ s really very sparse and people are staying away from each other and trying to do more by email and phone , '' he said .
`` That ’ s a tough thing to do when you ’ ve got to take a vote . ''
Durbin said tradition has its place .
But not in the middle of a coronavirus .
“ It ’ s time for the senate to wake up to the 21st century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure we ’ re using technology that allows us to communicate with one another without any risk or danger to public health.
” Last week , Reps. Eric Swalwell , D-Calif. , and Rick Crawford , R-Ark.
, introduced legislation to change the House rules , allow members to hold hearings by video conference , and allow absent lawmakers to vote remotely .
Despite these proposals , Pelosi told reporters last week , `` we ca n't vote from home . ''

Tradition-bound Congress considers voting remotely as coronavirus illnesses hit home
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus response could go through summer, President Trump warns President Donald Trump announced tougher guidelines for battling the coronavirus and a possible time frame for when the worst may be over. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Congress is in a race against the coronavirus – and not just to help Americans confront the global pandemic.
On Wednesday, two House members, Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah, announced they had tested positive for the coronavirus. More than a dozen members have self-quarantined in their homes. Many staffers are staying away from the Capitol. Offices have been shuttered as cleaning crews disinfect them.
Suddenly, the idea of changing foundational congressional rules to allow voting from remote locations rather than all together has become a serious proposition in a body that prides itself on following time-honored customs.
“The Senate is a pretty tradition-bound place,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the second most powerful Republican in the chamber. “But these are extraordinary circumstances.”
Senate rules require a senator to be physically present during a roll call vote. Senators may vote from their desks or in the well of the chamber, but they must be present so the clerk can record their vote.
Changing that would require a supermajority of 67 votes, the same number needed to override a presidential veto.
But the idea of "remote voting" is suddenly gaining traction in the marbled halls of Capitol Hill.
Senators Dick Durbin, D-Ill, and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Thursday proposed a rules change that would permit senators to vote remotely during a national crisis provided the leaders of both parties agree.
Travel advisory: Coronavirus: State Department tells Americans: 'Do not travel' abroad, come home if overseas
“We live in an age where national emergencies, public health crises, and terrorism can threaten the ordinary course of Senate business," Durbin said. "We need to bring voting in the Senate into the 21st century so that our important work can continue even under extraordinary circumstances."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell so far opposes such a break from tradition, though he is willing to bend them a little by extending the time senators can cast floor votes.
During Wednesday's vote to adopt a sweeping coronavirus relief package, senators were given 30 minutes instead of the traditional 15 so they could practice social distancing.
What is a national emergency? President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Here's what that actually means. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Store closings: Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom to close all stores because of coronavirus
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has been resistant to remote voting, is apparently now open to the idea. She instructed Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., to examine whether it could work.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told members of his caucus on a call Thursday that leaders are discussing ways to limit the number of lawmakers gathering for votes.
But the call for change grows with each passing announcement of another member in quarantine.
"For the safety of our communities, during this emergency, we must be able to legislate from our districts," tweeted Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla.
Lawmaker quarantine list growing
The news of positive tests by Diaz-Balart and McAdams has brought the crisis to the congressional doorstep.
As of Thursday morning,more than a dozen House members went into self-quarantine because of contact with lawmakers who tested positive. Some have returned to Capitol Hill but more are added to the list daily.
Earlier this week, after a staffer in the office of Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., tested positive for the disease, which has been named COVID-19, several House members, including Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., closed their Washington, D.C., offices.
A former staffer on the House Intelligence Committee, Daniel Goldman, who played a major public role during Trump's impeachment proceedings, also tested positive.
Relief plan: Mnuchin says proposal would inject 'a trillion dollars into the economy,' includes giving checks to Americans
And on the Senate side, a staffer in the office of Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., also tested positive, forcing the closure of her office, though Cantwell's office said the staffer had no contact with the senator or other lawmakers. Several senators, including Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., closed their offices in response to the staffer's positive test.
Other lawmakers like Sen Ted. Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., have self-quarantined after coming into contact with people who later tested positive for the coronavirus. Cruz came back and voted for the coronavirus relief bill Wednesday.
No more than 10 people at a time
The Trump administration issued new guidance Monday recommending against gatherings of more than 10 people at a time.
That's a problem for the Senate, which has 100 members, and the House of Representatives, which currently has 430 members (there are five vacancies). And none of that includes the hundreds of staffers, reporters and support staff filtering in and out of the Capitol complex.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people older than 60 to avoid large crowds. The average age is 63 in the Senate and 58 in the House.
Durbin noted the "challenging" circumstances the Senate faced because it's not just lawmakers but also aides and staff who are being asked to ignore federal guidelines and assemble in one place.
"There are policemen. There are people engaged in basic activates here to keep this magnificent structure functioning And they come here now in the midst of a public health challenge where most every American has been told stay home," he said.
More: 'Like preparing for a hurricane': Lawmakers worry about coronavirus hitting them while helping manage response
Need to vote on coronavirus legislation
Until Congress decides to allow remote voting, lawmakers will have to come to Washington to consider and vote on the various relief packages being proposed, negotiated and brought to the floor.
Measures to assist workers who find themselves jobless, distressed industries like airlines whose businesses have cratered, and health care providers who need protections continue to be negotiated by lawmakers and their staffs – face-to-face in most cases.
"The Senate will not leave until we have processed yet another bill to address this emergency," McConnell told reporters Tuesday, speaking from a podium that had just been scrubbed down and disinfected.
Much of the heavy lifting on these bills should be done as quickly as possible, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told reporters Monday, in case potential changes to airline and travel schedules make it difficult to bring the Senate back into session.
“I don't think we can operate as if we can just bring the Senate and the House back together whenever we want," he said.
Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., told reporters Tuesday there was an eerie feeling around the Capitol, and the lack of face-to-face conversation made it "tough" when trying to take a vote.
Coping: Coronavirus preparations: Foods with the longest shelf life
“It’s really very sparse and people are staying away from each other and trying to do more by email and phone," he said. "That’s a tough thing to do when you’ve got to take a vote."
Last week, Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Rick Crawford, R-Ark., introduced legislation to change the House rules, allow members to hold hearings by video conference, and allow absent lawmakers to vote remotely.
Contributing: Christal Hayes and Deborah Berry


usatoday--2020-03-17--Prisons restrict inmates, staffers' movements as they try to keep coronavirus out

WASHINGTON – More than 500,000 inmates in the nation ’ s largest prison systems were on near-lockdown this week as authorities scrambled to guard against outbreaks of the coronavirus .
California , Florida , Texas and the federal Bureau of Prisons have all suspended visitation and largely restricted the movement of prisoners within their systems .
The restrictions underscore the growing concern for vulnerable populations living in close quarters where seasonal illnesses often spread quickly .
The looming threat posed by the pandemic represents `` one of the greatest fears for any prison director , '' said Laurie Robinson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a congressional task force that examined the federal prison system in 2015 .
`` You have a confined population that already may not be in the best of health due to prolonged drug use and alcohol abuse , '' Robinson said .
`` There is often no way to set up an effective quarantine '' because prisoners are confined in small cells .
`` You also have staff in those very close quarters that makes them so vulnerable , too . ''
Mary Price , general counsel for the prisoner advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on state and local governments to apply `` compassionate release '' provisions to allow elderly and chronically ill inmates to serve out the remainder of their sentences at home .
“ Prison and jail medical units will rapidly be overrun by a COVID-19 outbreak and will need as many beds as possible for critical care patients , '' Price said .
`` It makes no sense to keep other people who are terminally ill or medically debilitated occupying those beds.
” Tuesday , a coalition of civil rights groups including the Southern Poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mississippi and Florida to release vulnerable inmates who no longer represent threats to their communities .
Larry Levine , a federal prison consultant who prepares offenders for incarceration , said inmates and their families are expressing growing anxiety about the threat , especially to those who have preexisting illnesses .
`` I have about eight people in medical facilities scattered across the federal system , '' Levine said .
`` They are still getting their meds , but they are very worried that the supply chain might run out given the shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The federal Bureau of Prisons , the nation 's largest detention system with more than 170,000 inmates , said the agency has prepared since January to deal with coronavirus-related problems .
It said no infections had been reported as of Tuesday .
Since Friday , the bureau has reported that six inmates in Seattle tested negative for the virus after exhibiting flu-like symptoms .
A staffer in Kentucky remains in quarantine as a precaution after being exposed to a confirmed case outside the system .
Late Friday , the agency suspended visitation at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 30 days .
That includes attorney-client meetings , except when approved by prison authorities .
All inmate transfers and staff travel have been halted as well .
Shane Fausey , president of the federal prison workers union , applauded the action as `` unprecedented . ''
`` These extensive measures will help ensure the safety and security of our facilities while protecting our federal law enforcement officers that walk the toughest neighborhoods in America , '' Fausey said .
Similar restrictions have been announced by state prison systems across the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported no confirmed cases of the virus as of Tuesday .
Authorities in California also put restrictions on parole hearings , suspending in-person participation of victims and prosecutors .
In Pennsylvania , authorities are no longer admitting prisoners to three facilities .
Two of the prisons operate nursing homes for offenders ; another serves as an inmate cancer ward .
John Wetzel , chief of Pennsylvania 's prison system , said the decision to restrict new admissions was made over the weekend after learning of the increased vulnerability to nursing homes across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak has been deadly .
`` Minute to minute , there could be an adjustment in our operations , '' Wetzel said of the 45,000 inmate system .
`` We 're monitoring conditions all of the time .
... We have 25 prisons – at some point we are going to get a case .
The best-case scenario is that we are able to delay that until cases in Pennsylvania start going down and we get over the hump . ''
In Texas : Prisons at risk of outbreak Roger Werholtz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corrections , said the actions by the federal government and states are encouraging .
But the agencies still face the challenge of safeguarding prisoners who can not follow one of the key recommendations to avoid contracting the virus : to limit social interactions .
`` This idea of social distancing can not be achieved in prison like we are asking the general public to do , '' Werholtz said .
`` And when you want to segregate people from each other , you can not do it in many cases .
It will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population in ways that can be beneficial . ''
Megan Quattlebaum , head of the Council of State Governments Justice Center , said state prison directors also must vet the medical histories of incoming inmates .
`` The pipeline to state prisons often runs through the county jails , '' she said , where screening practices are not uniform nor controlled by state prison officials .
`` There are myriad challenges , '' Quattlebaum said .
`` These are times for wrenching decisions .
And I have n't talked to anybody who has @ @ @ @ @ @

Prisons restrict inmates, staffers' movements as they try to keep coronavirus out
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Americans flock to stores for guns, ammunition American shoppers are stocking up on more than just food during the coronavirus outbreak. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – More than 500,000 inmates in the nation’s largest prison systems were on near-lockdown this week as authorities scrambled to guard against outbreaks of the coronavirus.
California, Florida, Texas and the federal Bureau of Prisons have all suspended visitation and largely restricted the movement of prisoners within their systems.
The restrictions underscore the growing concern for vulnerable populations living in close quarters where seasonal illnesses often spread quickly.
The looming threat posed by the pandemic represents "one of the greatest fears for any prison director," said Laurie Robinson, a former assistant attorney general who was part of a congressional task force that examined the federal prison system in 2015.
"You have a confined population that already may not be in the best of health due to prolonged drug use and alcohol abuse," Robinson said. "There is often no way to set up an effective quarantine" because prisoners are confined in small cells. "You also have staff in those very close quarters that makes them so vulnerable, too."
Mary Price, general counsel for the prisoner advocacy group Families Against Mandatory Minimums, called on state and local governments to apply "compassionate release" provisions to allow elderly and chronically ill inmates to serve out the remainder of their sentences at home.
“Prison and jail medical units will rapidly be overrun by a COVID-19 outbreak and will need as many beds as possible for critical care patients," Price said. "It makes no sense to keep other people who are terminally ill or medically debilitated occupying those beds.”
Tuesday, a coalition of civil rights groups including the Southern Poverty Law Center urged prison officials in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida to release vulnerable inmates who no longer represent threats to their communities.
Larry Levine, a federal prison consultant who prepares offenders for incarceration, said inmates and their families are expressing growing anxiety about the threat, especially to those who have preexisting illnesses.
"I have about eight people in medical facilities scattered across the federal system," Levine said. "They are still getting their meds, but they are very worried that the supply chain might run out given the shutdown of businesses on the outside."
The federal Bureau of Prisons, the nation's largest detention system with more than 170,000 inmates, said the agency has prepared since January to deal with coronavirus-related problems. It said no infections had been reported as of Tuesday.
Since Friday, the bureau has reported that six inmates in Seattle tested negative for the virus after exhibiting flu-like symptoms. A staffer in Kentucky remains in quarantine as a precaution after being exposed to a confirmed case outside the system.
Late Friday, the agency suspended visitation at all of its 122 facilities for at least 30 days. That includes attorney-client meetings, except when approved by prison authorities.
All inmate transfers and staff travel have been halted as well.
Shane Fausey, president of the federal prison workers union, applauded the action as "unprecedented."
"These extensive measures will help ensure the safety and security of our facilities while protecting our federal law enforcement officers that walk the toughest neighborhoods in America," Fausey said.
Similar restrictions have been announced by state prison systems across the country. The largest, California and Texas, reported no confirmed cases of the virus as of Tuesday.
Authorities in California also put restrictions on parole hearings, suspending in-person participation of victims and prosecutors.
In Pennsylvania, authorities are no longer admitting prisoners to three facilities. Two of the prisons operate nursing homes for offenders; another serves as an inmate cancer ward.
John Wetzel, chief of Pennsylvania's prison system, said the decision to restrict new admissions was made over the weekend after learning of the increased vulnerability to nursing homes across the country, including in Washington state where the outbreak has been deadly.
"Minute to minute, there could be an adjustment in our operations," Wetzel said of the 45,000 inmate system. "We're monitoring conditions all of the time. ... We have 25 prisons – at some point we are going to get a case. The best-case scenario is that we are able to delay that until cases in Pennsylvania start going down and we get over the hump."
In Texas: Prisons at risk of outbreak
Roger Werholtz, former director of the Kansas Department of Corrections, said the actions by the federal government and states are encouraging. But the agencies still face the challenge of safeguarding prisoners who cannot follow one of the key recommendations to avoid contracting the virus: to limit social interactions.
"This idea of social distancing cannot be achieved in prison like we are asking the general public to do," Werholtz said. "And when you want to segregate people from each other, you cannot do it in many cases. It will be really difficult to lock down the population in ways that can be beneficial."
Megan Quattlebaum, head of the Council of State Governments Justice Center, said state prison directors also must vet the medical histories of incoming inmates.
"The pipeline to state prisons often runs through the county jails," she said, where screening practices are not uniform nor controlled by state prison officials.
"There are myriad challenges," Quattlebaum said. "These are times for wrenching decisions. And I haven't talked to anybody who has taken these decisions lightly."


usatoday--2020-03-17--Mike Pence asks construction companies to donate their N95 masks to hospitals

Vice President Mike Pence asked that construction companies donate their N95 masks to hospitals amid the coronavirus pandemic .

Coronavirus: Mike Pence asks construction companies to donate masks
Vice President Mike Pence asked that construction companies donate their N95 masks to hospitals amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Associated Press, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-03-17--'We're in the fog of war.' Here's how Ohio canceled an election and sent the state into confusion

CINCINNATI – There was an election .
Then there was n't .
Then there was .
Then there was n't .
In the end , the novel coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of the primary election Tuesday in Ohio .
Here 's how one of the most confusing moments , if not the most confusing moment , in election history unfolded .
It was business as usual when the doors of the Hamilton County Board of Elections opened its doors on the eve of the primary .
In fact , business boomed , with a 38 % increase in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary in 2016 .
The pandemic spurred more people to vote early .
Some feared crowds on Tuesday .
Some feared the polls would close .
Subsequent events proved the latter right .
Candidates took their usual spot behind a rope in the parking lot of the Hamilton County Board of Elections .
They still believed they had entered the home stretch of their primary campaigns , waving signs , urging people to vote for them , but being sure to maintain their distance from voters , as prescribed by health professionals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flanked by Lt. Gov .
Mike Husted and Secretary of State Frank Larose – all Republicans – took to the podium in a hearing room in the Ohio Statehouse .
He first announced the closure of more businesses : gyms , bowling alleys , public recreation centers .
Then DeWine dropped a bombshell .
He would recommend postponing the primary until June 2 .
Absentee voting would be extended until then .
But no in-person voting until June 2 .
`` We should not force them to make this choice , the choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and duties as American citizens , '' DeWine said at the press conference .
`` Further , we should not be in a situation where the votes of these individuals who are conflicted are suppressed . ''
Some Democratic leaders and candidates began to express opposition to postponing the election until June 2 .
Hamilton County Democratic commissioner candidates Connie Pillich and Alicia Reece and Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said publicly they thought canceling the election with 24-hour notice was disruptive .
Instead , many Democrats , including Pillich , Cranley and Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an absentee mail-in only vote but not delay the election until June 2 .
Wood County Common Pleas Court candidate Corey Speweik , a Republican , files a complaint with the Ohio Supreme Court , arguing that only Ohio lawmakers could move the election date .
To do so via a court decision would be “ judicial fiat.
” A lawsuit is filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court .
In it , 81-year-old Judith Brachman , the former director of the Ohio Department of Aging , and Jill Reardon , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deficiency , said they wanted to vote on March 17 but feared for their safety .
They argued in the lawsuit their constitutional rights were violated by holding the election that day .
Ohio 's director of elections , Amanda Grandjean , sends out an email to local boards of elections incorrectly saying the Franklin County Courts Common Pleas Judge Richard A. Frye granted Brachman and Reardon 's request to delay the primary .
In fact , the judge had not ruled yet .
Grandjean tells the boards there will not be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections around the state , including Hamilton County , to call poll workers and instruct them not to set up the polling locations .
The judge rejects Brachman and Reardon ’ s argument , saying that “ it is the Ohio General Assembly that sets the election date and not the court system.
” At this point , in-person voting is set to continue in Ohio the next day .
The conflicting information sends the Hamilton County Boards of Elections , as well as boards of election throughout the state , into confusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to proceed , board member and Hamilton County GOP chairman Alex Triantafilou expressed his frustration .
`` We 're in the fog of war at the moment , and we 're getting information that 's late-breaking , '' Triantafilou said .
`` Everyone in this county wants to know if we 're having an election . ''
Not knowing what else to do , the Hamilton County Board of Elections adjourns , saying polls will open at 6:30 a.m. the following morning .
The Hamilton County Board of Elections begins calling poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on .
Poll workers express confusion .
`` It 's very concerning , '' said Kayla Forshey , a Hamilton County poll worker , late Monday night .
`` It was already worrisome enough with the virus going around .
Now , here at the 11th hour , we 're getting conflicting reports whether or not to vote . ''
Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder sends a memo to Republican lawmakers , saying in-person voting is still on for Tuesday .
“ You should instruct your constituents that the Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set by Ohio Law.
” Despite the judge 's ruling , DeWine and LaRose issue a joint statement saying it `` is n't possible '' to hold an election on Tuesday , adding further confusion .
Frye ’ s decision is appealed to the 10th District Court of Appeals .
But the court is closed for the evening .
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton issues an order closing all polling locations in Ohio.In a press conference the following morning , Larose referred to this as `` plan B '' after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State attorneys submit arguments to the Ohio Supreme Court , arguing that the Wood County candidate ’ s request to keep polls open Tuesday be denied .
The state argues that election chief LaRose did not violate his “ clear legal duty by complying with an order from Ohio ’ s Health Director in the midst of a pandemic.
” Four out of the seven Ohio Supreme Court justices meet via a phone call to decide the Wood County case .
They reject the request from Wood County ’ s Speweik to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone call were two Republicans , Chief Justice Maureen O ’ Connor and Justice Patrick Fischer , and two Democrats , Justices Michael Donnelly and Melody Stewart .
Three of the seven did not participate : Justice Judith French and Justice Sharon Kennedy are on the ballot this primary .
Justice Pat DeWine is the son of Gov .
DeWine and his sister , Alice , is running for county prosecutor .
Some voters and poll workers show up to their polling locations not knowing the election has been postponed .
They found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North , of Clifton , showed up at her polling place at 6:35 a.m. '' It was otherworldly , '' North said in a Facebook post .
`` I arrived at my polling location at 6:35 , concluding my morning run there , with the intention to beat the crowds .
It was dark .
Several people were circling the building as confused as I was . ''
LaRose tells the Columbus Dispatch that he expects a legal challenge based on the Ohio Department of Health order to close the polls .

Scott Wartman and Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer

'We're in the fog of war.' Here's how Ohio canceled an election and sent the state into confusion
CINCINNATI – There was an election. Then there wasn't. Then there was. Then there wasn't.
In the end, the novel coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of the primary election Tuesday in Ohio.
Here's how one of the most confusing moments, if not the most confusing moment, in election history unfolded.
Monday, March 16
8 a.m.
It was business as usual when the doors of the Hamilton County Board of Elections opened its doors on the eve of the primary. In fact, business boomed, with a 38% increase in early ballots cast compared to the previous presidential primary in 2016.
The pandemic spurred more people to vote early. Some feared crowds on Tuesday. Some feared the polls would close. Subsequent events proved the latter right.
9 a.m.-10 a.m.
Candidates took their usual spot behind a rope in the parking lot of the Hamilton County Board of Elections.
They still believed they had entered the home stretch of their primary campaigns, waving signs, urging people to vote for them, but being sure to maintain their distance from voters, as prescribed by health professionals.
3 p.m.
A somber Gov. Mike DeWine, flanked by Lt. Gov. Mike Husted and Secretary of State Frank Larose – all Republicans – took to the podium in a hearing room in the Ohio Statehouse. He first announced the closure of more businesses: gyms, bowling alleys, public recreation centers.
Then DeWine dropped a bombshell. He would recommend postponing the primary until June 2. Absentee voting would be extended until then. But no in-person voting until June 2.
"We should not force them to make this choice, the choice between their health and their constitutional rights and duties as American citizens," DeWine said at the press conference. "Further, we should not be in a situation where the votes of these individuals who are conflicted are suppressed."
3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Some Democratic leaders and candidates began to express opposition to postponing the election until June 2.
Hamilton County Democratic commissioner candidates Connie Pillich and Alicia Reece and Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said publicly they thought canceling the election with 24-hour notice was disruptive.
Instead, many Democrats, including Pillich, Cranley and Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper suggested going to an absentee mail-in only vote but not delay the election until June 2.
4:30 p.m.
Wood County Common Pleas Court candidate Corey Speweik, a Republican, files a complaint with the Ohio Supreme Court, arguing that only Ohio lawmakers could move the election date. To do so via a court decision would be “judicial fiat.”
6:00 p.m.
A lawsuit is filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. In it, 81-year-old Judith Brachman, the former director of the Ohio Department of Aging, and Jill Reardon, an Ohio voter who suffers from severe immune deficiency, said they wanted to vote on March 17 but feared for their safety. They argued in the lawsuit their constitutional rights were violated by holding the election that day.
6:59 p.m.
Ohio's director of elections, Amanda Grandjean, sends out an email to local boards of elections incorrectly saying the Franklin County Courts Common Pleas Judge Richard A. Frye granted Brachman and Reardon's request to delay the primary. In fact, the judge had not ruled yet.
Grandjean tells the boards there will not be an election tomorrow.
This prompts boards of elections around the state, including Hamilton County, to call poll workers and instruct them not to set up the polling locations.
7:05 p.m.
The Secretary of State rescinds Grandjean's email.
7:06 p.m.
The judge rejects Brachman and Reardon’s argument, saying that “it is the Ohio General Assembly that sets the election date and not the court system.”
At this point, in-person voting is set to continue in Ohio the next day.
7:09 p.m.
The conflicting information sends the Hamilton County Boards of Elections, as well as boards of election throughout the state, into confusion. In an open meeting to decide how to proceed, board member and Hamilton County GOP chairman Alex Triantafilou expressed his frustration.
"We're in the fog of war at the moment, and we're getting information that's late-breaking," Triantafilou said. "Everyone in this county wants to know if we're having an election."
7:15 p.m.
Not knowing what else to do, the Hamilton County Board of Elections adjourns, saying polls will open at 6:30 a.m. the following morning.
7:30 p.m.
The Hamilton County Board of Elections begins calling poll workers to tell them the election is back on. Poll workers express confusion.
"It's very concerning," said Kayla Forshey, a Hamilton County poll worker, late Monday night. "It was already worrisome enough with the virus going around. Now, here at the 11th hour, we're getting conflicting reports whether or not to vote."
8 p.m.
Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder sends a memo to Republican lawmakers, saying in-person voting is still on for Tuesday.
“You should instruct your constituents that the Election is scheduled to occur March 17 as set by Ohio Law.”
9:03 p.m.
Despite the judge's ruling, DeWine and LaRose issue a joint statement saying it "isn't possible" to hold an election on Tuesday, adding further confusion.
10:04 p.m.
Frye’s decision is appealed to the 10th District Court of Appeals. But the court is closed for the evening.
10:08 p.m.
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton issues an order closing all polling locations in Ohio. In a press conference the following morning, Larose referred to this as "plan B" after the courts refused to postpone the election.
Tuesday, March 17
1:30 a.m.
State attorneys submit arguments to the Ohio Supreme Court, arguing that the Wood County candidate’s request to keep polls open Tuesday be denied.
The state argues that election chief LaRose did not violate his “clear legal duty by complying with an order from Ohio’s Health Director in the midst of a pandemic.”
4 a.m.
Four out of the seven Ohio Supreme Court justices meet via a phone call to decide the Wood County case. They reject the request from Wood County’s Speweik to keep polls open.
The justices on the phone call were two Republicans, Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor and Justice Patrick Fischer, and two Democrats, Justices Michael Donnelly and Melody Stewart.
Three of the seven did not participate: Justice Judith French and Justice Sharon Kennedy are on the ballot this primary. Justice Pat DeWine is the son of Gov. DeWine and his sister, Alice, is running for county prosecutor.
6 a.m. - 7 a.m.
Some voters and poll workers show up to their polling locations not knowing the election has been postponed. They found notices taped to the doors. Molly North, of Clifton, showed up at her polling place at 6:35 a.m.
"It was otherworldly," North said in a Facebook post. "I arrived at my polling location at 6:35, concluding my morning run there, with the intention to beat the crowds. It was dark. Several people were circling the building as confused as I was."
10:00 a.m.
LaRose tells the Columbus Dispatch that he expects a legal challenge based on the Ohio Department of Health order to close the polls.
Columbus Dispatch reporters Rick Rouan and Randy Ludlow contributed.


usatoday--2020-03-17--Coronavirus pandemic will delay Kentucky primary election, pushing it to June

FRANKFORT — Gov .
Andy Beshear is delaying Kentucky 's primary election , which was supposed to be held May 19 , because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The primary will be pushed back to June 23 , as requested by Secretary of State Michael Adams .
On Monday , Adams sent Beshear a letter formally recommending that he issue an executive order delaying the primary .
Beshear made the announcement Monday evening at a press conference at the Capitol .
“ There were numerous factors that led to this point , '' the governor said .
“ The coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it means is that it ’ s very important that we all do our patriotic duty as we move forward to model the type of behavior that we need.
” More : Several states have altered their primary election plans due to coronavirus .
Here 's how For most people , coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has preached the importance of social distancing , the need to postpone community gatherings and proper hygiene to help curb spread of the virus .
“ We all have a duty to do everything we can that it takes to beat this virus , '' he said .
“ This is our duty as Kentuckians .
This is our patriotic duty .
... And to me , it is our Christian duty . ''
More : Delays until June , a lack of poll workers : How coronavirus is affecting Tuesday 's election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
The latest case Monday was that of a woman in Jefferson County .
Beshear also ordered the state Capitol to close to non-essential personnel , starting Tuesday .
Beshear said the state is working to waive the waiting period for unemployment insurance for those who lose their jobs because of coronavirus .
State lawmakers were not in session Monday but are scheduled to reconvene at the statehouse on Tuesday in Frankfort .

Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal

Coronavirus pandemic will delay Kentucky primary election, pushing it to June
Show Caption Hide Caption Is the U.S. prepared for a coronavirus pandemic? A previous version of this video incorrectly stated how many people the 1918 Spanish influenza killed. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
FRANKFORT — Gov. Andy Beshear is delaying Kentucky's primary election, which was supposed to be held May 19, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The primary will be pushed back to June 23, as requested by Secretary of State Michael Adams.
On Monday, Adams sent Beshear a letter formally recommending that he issue an executive order delaying the primary.
Beshear made the announcement Monday evening at a press conference at the Capitol.
“There were numerous factors that led to this point," the governor said. “The coronavirus was only a factor. But what it means is that it’s very important that we all do our patriotic duty as we move forward to model the type of behavior that we need.”
More: Several states have altered their primary election plans due to coronavirus. Here's how
For most people, coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.
Beshear has preached the importance of social distancing, the need to postpone community gatherings and proper hygiene to help curb spread of the virus.
“We all have a duty to do everything we can that it takes to beat this virus," he said. “This is our duty as Kentuckians. This is our patriotic duty. ... And to me, it is our Christian duty."
More: Delays until June, a lack of poll workers: How coronavirus is affecting Tuesday's election
Kentucky has had 22 confirmed cases of the virus. The latest case Monday was that of a woman in Jefferson County.
Beshear also ordered the state Capitol to close to non-essential personnel, starting Tuesday.
Beshear said the state is working to waive the waiting period for unemployment insurance for those who lose their jobs because of coronavirus.
State lawmakers were not in session Monday but are scheduled to reconvene at the statehouse on Tuesday in Frankfort.
Contributing: The Associated Press