Next week's Democratic primaries to proceed despite coronavirus, Louisiana delay [View all]

WASHINGTON — Louisiana on Friday became the first U.S. state to postpone its presidential nominating contest because of the coronavirus pandemic, while four states holding their primaries next week said those elections would go forward as planned.

The Southern state said it would reschedule voting in the run-up to the Nov. 3 election because of the outbreak. Officials there said they would postpone their scheduled April 4 primary to June 20 "to best protect the health and safety of Louisiana voters and voting officials," Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said at a news conference.

The four states holding their primaries on Tuesday — Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio — said in a joint statement they would proceed with their contests while taking steps to ensure public safety.

"Americans have participated in elections during challenging times in the past, and, based on the best information we have from public health officials, we are confident that voters in our states can safely and securely cast their ballots in this election, and that otherwise healthy poll workers can and should carry out their patriotic duties on Tuesday," election officials from the four states said.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/elections-2020/next-weeks-democratic-primaries-to-proceed-despite-coronavirus-louisiana-delay/ar-BB119A5D?li=BBnb7Kz