Louisiana’s state government is postponing its presidential primary as part of a response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The presidential primary, which was scheduled for April 4, will now take place June 20, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said in a press conference on Friday. There are 54 pledged delegates to the Democratic national convention allocated based on results in its Democratic presidential primary.
Its May 9 general election will take place on July 25.
Louisiana is the first state to postpone a primary due to the coronavirus.
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
The move comes as former Vice President Joe Biden seeks to wrap up the Democratic nomination over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. A Biden spokeswoman, Kate Bedingfield, on Friday urged Democrats to vote on Tuesday, when primaries are held in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio.
“As election officials working with public health officials are demonstrating throughout the country, our elections can be conducted safely in consultation with public health officials. If voters are feeling healthy, not exhibiting symptoms, and don’t believe they’ve been exposed to COVID-19, please vote on Tuesday,” Bedingfield said. “If voters are members of an at-risk population, exhibiting symptoms, or have been exposed to a diagnosed case of COVID-19, we encourage them to explore absentee ballots and vote by mail options.”
