Lawmakers are taking special precautions as coronavirus cases continue to rise, even if it means postponing primary elections.
Pennsylvania lawmakers voted to move the state’s primary from April 28 to June 2.
Gov. Tom Wolf (D) confirmed he would sign off on it, according to reports.
BREAKING: #PAHouse votes unanimously to move the Primary Election from April 28th to June 2nd.
— PA House Democrats (@PaHouseDems) March 25, 2020
The bill needs action in the #PASenate before being signed into law by @GovernorTomWolf
Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre) was asked, if the number of coronavirus cases dwindles by June 2, would voters be able to vote in person.
“That’s the million-dollar question, or billion or maybe trillion now with the numbers we’re talking about in Washington, DC,” Corman said.
Once signed, Pennsylvania will be added to the list of over 10 states that have delayed their primaries.
The following states have reportedly delayed their primaries: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island.
Other states recently moved ahead to hold their primaries including Florida, Illinois, and Arizona. Former Vice President Joe Biden swept up all three states
Pennsylvania’s decision comes shortly after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) recommended delaying his state’s primary until June 2, as IJR previously reported.
DeWine tweeted an explanation for why he recommended postponing the primary.
“I’m making this recommendation because we must also look out for our poll workers,” DeWine tweeted.
The delay comes amid state governors issuing stay-at-home orders.
California became the first state to issue a stay-at-home order amid the coronavirus outbreak, as IJR previously reported.
Residents are allowed to go out for certain reasons as the order does include exceptions like going out for medication or food, or for essential work.
Lawmakers are working to put other measures in place to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus as the economy is taking a hit.
The Senate unanimously passed a coronavirus relief bill late Wednesday that would pump $2 trillion into the economy, as IJR reported.
The legislation will now head to the House of Representative where lawmakers vote on it on Friday.
