Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) recommended Monday afternoon that his state’s primaries on Tuesday be postponed until early June:
It is my recommendation that we postpone in-person voting until June 2, 2020. #COVID19 #COVID19OhioReady
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 16, 2020
I'm making this recommendation because we must also look out for our poll workers. #COVID19 #COVID19OhioReady
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 16, 2020
A lawsuit will be filed to postpone the election until June 2, 2020. In the meantime, voters would still be able to request absentee ballots. It will be up to a judge to decide if the election will be postponed.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 16, 2020
Gov. DeWine recommends Ohio's in-person voting, set for tomorrow, be moved to June 2, with absentee voting until then.
— ABC News (@ABC) March 16, 2020
"This should extend the period of time so that people will not have to choose between their constitutional rights and their health." https://t.co/1TBAL8cn2G https://t.co/avvNflX8ia
Though the Governor’s powers do not allow him to extend voting unilaterally, a lawsuit is being filed in hopes of extending the primary. If so, voters will be able to utilize absentee ballots until June 2nd and vote in person until then, as well.
Update: DeWine will file a lawsuit to force the extension of primary election voting.https://t.co/VAdKkFE90B
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) March 16, 2020
This move is in-line with the CDC’s guidelines, and shows leadership from Gov. DeWine amidst a global health crisis. It remains to be seen whether or not other states with primaries on Tuesday will follow Gov. DeWine's example.