COLUMBUS — The first major test of an almost completely vote-by-mail election during a pandemic is unfolding in Ohio, offering lessons to other states about how to conduct one of the most basic acts of democracy amid a health crisis.
The primary, which ends Tuesday, also could provide a preview of a November election that might still be marred by the coronavirus outbreak.
Joe Biden has all but locked up the Democratic presidential nomination since the state’s March 17 primary was delayed.
Instead, the spotlight has shifted to the process since state lawmakers voted to extend primary voting, mostly by mail-in ballot, until April 28.
Ohio law guarantees that voters who don’t receive a ballot they requested by the legal deadline can vote in person using provisional ballots.
There are primary races in most of the state’s 16 congressional districts.
Voters also are deciding on legislative and judicial nominees and local levies. The voting and tabulating process itself will probably draw the most attention.