Indiana’s May 5 primary has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, joining a slew of states pushing back their elections to stop the spread of the novel respiratory illness.
Indiana voters will cast their ballots on June 2, Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday alongside the chairmen of the state’s Democratic Party and GOP.
“The right of citizens to elect their leaders in a free and open election is one of the cornerstones of America. In order to balance that right with the safety of county employees, poll workers, and voters, delaying Indiana’s primary election is the right move as we continue to do all we can to protect Hoosiers’ health,” Holcomb said.
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Indiana is the seventh state to delay their state’s contest. It remains to be seen whether former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee, will have locked down his party’s nod by then. However, there are two competitive congressional races, the Democratic primary to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Pete Visclosky and the Republican primary and potential general election for the seat of Republican Rep. Susan Brooks, also leaving the House voluntarily.
Indiana’s state elections commission will meet on March 25 to discuss a range of proposals to make voting easier, including relaxing rules regarding mail-in absentee ballots.
June 2 is now the most important date on the upcoming calendar when 589 delegates will be decided.
Georgia has rescheduled its primary to May 19, while Connecticut and Ohio have moved theirs to June 2. Louisiana changed the date of its election to June 20, and Kentucky has shifted its contest to June 23. The Rhode Island Board of Elections is currently considering postponing the state’s primary from April 28 to June 2.
Two people in Indiana have died from COVID-19. A total of 79 cases have been recorded in the state.
