COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine hopes lawmakers or the courts will go along with his admonistration’s plan to reschedule Ohio’s primary for June 2.
Ohio’s Supreme Court ruled the state could postpone voting in response to the coronavirus pandemic but it is up to the General Assembly to set a new date.
The Ohio Department of Health call center is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to answer questions regarding COVID-19 at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
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DeWine said the state would also pursue its efforts through the cthe election rescheduled. He said June 2 would give voters “ample time” to cast absentee ballots or vote in person and for the major parties to select delegates for their national nominating conventions.
Worries about the new coronavirus kept some voters and poll workers at home and hampered efforts to open some polling sites as Arizona, Florida and Illinois held their Democratic presidential primary contests amid a global pandemic.
Ohio’s health director ordered polls closed in Tuesday’s primary election late Monday after a Franklin County judge rejected a request championed by Gov. Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Frank LaRose to postpone in-person voting until June 2 to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
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“The Ohio Department of Health and the CDC have advised against anyone gathering in groups larger than 50 people, which will occur if the election goes forward,” DeWine and LaRose wrote in a joint statement issued Monday night. “Additionally, Ohioans over 65 and those with certain health conditions have been advised to limit their nonessential contact with others, affecting their ability to vote or serve as poll workers. Logistically, under these extraordinary circumstances, it simply isn’t possible to hold an election tomorrow that will be considered legitimate by Ohioans.”
The Ohio Supreme Court stepped in and denied a candidate’s request to overturn Dr. Amy Acton’s order in which she argued that “to conduct an election at this time would force poll workers and voters to face an unacceptable risk of contracting COVID-19.”
https://twitter.com/FrankLaRose/status/1239775097725960192
DeWine cited concerns over exposing voters and volunteer poll workers to the pandemic that has paralyzed the nation. Many are in the high-risk category of older people.
“We should not force them to make this choice, a choice between their health and their constitutional rights and duties as American citizens,” he said.
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“There is nothing more important than the health and well-being of my constituents, ” said four-term U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who faces primary challenge for her 3rd Congressional District seat from Morgan Harper.
“I am coordinating with leaders at all levels of government to ensure all Ohioans can exercise their constitutional right to vote while preserving their health and safety. We face an unprecedented public health crisis that requires our collective efforts to overcome,” Beatty said.
The confusion that reigned over the state of the election until mere hours before the polls were scheduled to open prompted criticism from the Democratic leader in the Ohio House of Representatives.
“I am deeply disappointed with how this situation was handled,” Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) wrote. She says members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus had tried to convince Statehouse leaders to address the possibility of having to cancel Tuesday’s vote due to the virus and she urged House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and Senate President Larry Obhoff (R-Medina) to call the General Assembly back into session to address the issue.
“This is why Ohio needs to update its archaic system and modernize voting like so many other states have, so we can adapt to emergencies,” Sykes wrote in a statement issues late Monday. “I hope the missteps we have seen tonight lead to a much deeper discussion at a later time about increasing accessibility to the ballot box.”
The postponement of the election came as a mandatory three-week closure of schools began Monday, bars and restaurants were closed indefinitely, and the governor ordered gyms, rec centers and movie theaters closed.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and Dayton’s Nan Whaley issued a joint statement praising the measures taken by the DeWine administration.
“No one is happy about having to take these steps that will have a significant impact on lives. But throughout this crisis, Governor DeWine has consistently made decisions based on the information available in the best interest of the safety and welfare of our residents” they wrote.
The state health department on Monday reported 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 12 Ohio counties, up from 36 cases on Sunday.