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Welcome to the Tuesday, March 17, Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:
- Kentucky becomes third state to reschedule primary
- Federal government updates recommendations on public gatherings, travel
- Elections to be held today in four states
Updates on stories related to the coronavirus pandemic are current through Monday afternoon. Click here for the latest news.
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Updates on election changes: Kentucky becomes third state to reschedule primary
A flurry of activity continued yesterday, as local, state, and federal governments continued their reaction to the ongoing coronavirus situation. Here’s a quick rundown of updates from three states—Kentucky, Ohio, and Alabama.
Kentucky
Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams (R) delayed the state’s May 19 presidential, congressional, and state legislative primaries until June 23. Adams delayed the election using a state law allowing for elections to be postponed by up to 35 days when a state of emergency has been declared for all or part of an election area. Gov. Andy Beshear (D) declared a state of emergency on March 6.
Kentucky was the third state to delay its presidential primary, after Louisiana and Georgia.
Ohio
Shortly after 10 pm E.T. Monday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton was ordering polling places to be closed today as a health emergency because of the coronavirus outbreak. In a statement announcing this action, DeWine said, "While the polls will be closed tomorrow, Secretary of State Frank LaRose will seek a remedy through the courts to extend voting options so that every voter who wants to vote will be granted that opportunity."
DeWine and LaRose had recommended that Ohio postpone its primary until June 2. However, neither could order the postponement directly. They also could not file suit in state court to effect the change because the state and its officials cannot sue themselves. Instead, a group of private citizens filed suit Monday at DeWine's request.
In proposing the postponement, DeWine said, "Is it a perfect decision? No, absolutely it is not. But we believe it’s the best of bad alternatives. And it does preserve people’s constitutional rights and does not require them to choose between their health and their constitutional right.”
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Richard Frye rejected DeWine’s request Monday evening. Frye said, "There are too many factors to balance in this unchartered territory to say that we ought to take this away from the legislature and elected statewide officials, and throw it to a common pleas court judge in Columbus 12 hours before the election."
Alabama
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill (R) requested an emergency opinion from the state attorney general asking if the governor has the power to postpone Alabama's March 31 primary runoff elections. A press release issued by Merrill's office stated, "In order to effectively practice social distancing, as recommended by the President of the United States, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the Alabama Department of Public Health, etc., the March 31 Runoff Election must be postponed.” Alabama's March 31 primary runoff elections include races for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate and two U.S. House seats.
More election changes:
- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed an executive order reducing the petition signature requirement for primary candidates and suspending signature collection as of the end of Tuesday for congressional, state legislative and judicial offices.
- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced the cancellation of the special election for Queens Borough president, which was scheduled for March 24.
- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) postponed municipal and county elections scheduled in March and April. McMaster said they would be rescheduled for sometime after May 1.
We're keeping track of all these ongoing developments daily. Bookmark the page below to stay abreast of the changes.
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Updates on government responses: Federal government updates recommendations on public gatherings, travel
Federal
- President Donald Trump (R) issued new recommendations Monday, including asking the public to avoid unnecessary travel, eating and drinking in bars and restaurants, and to limit gatherings to 10 or fewer people. Trump said, “If everyone makes this change or these critical changes and sacrifices now, we will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus and we’re going to have a big celebration all together.”
- The United States Supreme Court suspended oral arguments for the remainder of its March sitting. The Court was scheduled to hear cases on six days from March 23 to April 1.
States
All 50 states declared a state of emergency as of Monday. Here are more notable updates since Monday's Brew:
- Alaska closed all public schools through March 30.
- Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) closed all public schools through March 27 and canceled all large events and gatherings.
- Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D), New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced the closure of businesses and restaurants across the three states beginning Monday night.
- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed an executive order closing all public schools, colleges, and universities from March 18 to March 31.
- Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) issued an order banning gatherings of more than 50 people and closing bars, clubs, and restaurants to in-person customers.
- The Hawaii Department of Education extended spring break one week, to end March 30.
- Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed an executive order closing casinos, bars, and movie theaters, and limiting restaurants to delivery, take-out, and drive-through. The order also banned gatherings of more than 50 people.
- Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) declared a state of emergency.
- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) ordered all bars, restaurants, theaters, and gyms closed by 5 pm Monday.
- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) ordered all bars and restaurants closed for dine-in orders permitting them to serve delivery and take-out only.
- New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) banned gatherings over 50 people and limited restaurant and bar service to take-out or delivery only from March 17 until April 7.
- New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) ordered most state employees to work from home. The state also banned bars and restaurants from operating at more than 50% maximum occupancy or 50% of seating capacity.
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) issued an executive order closing all fitness centers, gyms, bowling alleys, recreation centers, movie theaters, water parks, and trampoline parks.
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) declared a state of emergency.
- Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) issued an executive order closing all nonessential government offices and nonessential businesses. The following types of businesses are considered essential: food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, feed mills, construction, trash collection, auto and home repair, post office and shipping outlets, insurance, banks, laundromats, veterinary clinics and pet stores, and hotels and commercial lodging.
- Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) closed all public schools through this Friday.
- Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) said that all schools should close no later than March 20 and remain closed through March 31.
- Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) ordered all schools to close for two weeks, effective March 16, although instruction can continue online.
- Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) ordered all K-12 schools in the state to be closed by Wednesday until at least April 6 and banned all gatherings of more than 50 people.
- Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) banned all gatherings of 100 people or more.
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) ordered that all bars, restaurants, and entertainment and recreation venues close. He also banned gatherings of more than 50 people in the state.
Ten largest cities by population
- New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) closed all public schools until at least April 20. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) closed all bars, nightclubs, restaurants (except takeout and delivery), entertainment venues, and gyms until March 31.
- Harris County, Texas (Houston) Commissioners Court Judge Lina Hidalgo (D) ordered all bars in the county to close and required that restaurants suspend in-house dining for 15 days, starting Tuesday morning.
- Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson (D) ordered all bars, lounges, nightclubs, gyms, and entertainment venues to close starting at midnight Monday. Restaurants are prohibited from offering dine-in service.
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Elections to be held today in four states
Ballotpedia is covering elections in four states today. Voters in Arizona and Florida will decide those states’ respective presidential primaries. Illinois and Ohio will hold presidential and statewide primaries. Here are the offices on the ballot in those two states:
Republican and Democratic primaries are being held for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Dick Durbin (D). Durbin is the only candidate running in the Democratic primary. Five Republican candidates are running in the Republican primary.
Illinois is also holding Republican and Democratic primaries for each of its 18 U.S. congressional districts. Democrats hold 13 of the 18 seats.
Republican and Democratic primaries are being held to select candidates for the U.S. House Republicans hold 12 of the 16 congressional seats in Ohio.
There are no U.S. Senate seats up for election in Ohio in 2020.
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