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Breaking News: As of 10:08 pm, Monday, March 16, Primary Election postponedFree Access


Breaking News: As of about 10:08 pm, Monday night, March 16, Ohio’s Tuesday, March 17 primary election is postponed.

This newspaper received a press release at about that time from the office of Mike DeWine, Ohio governor, announcing the polls will be closed as a health emergency.

In the press release, DeWine said, “Health Director Dr. Amy Acton will order the polls closed as a health emergency.”

The full text of the governor’s release states, “During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis, to conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at a unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus.

“As such, Health Director Dr. Amy Acton will order the polls closed as a health emergency.

“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.”

At about 9 pm, DeWine and Frank LaRose, Ohio secretary of state, sent out a press release laying out their concerns.

The full text of that release: “The only thing more important than a free and fair election is the health and safety of Ohioans. The Ohio Department of Health and the CDC have advised against anyone gathering in groups larger than 50 people, which will occur if the election goes forward. Additionally, Ohioans over 65 and those with certain health conditions have been advised to limit their nonessential contact with others, affecting their ability to vote or serve as poll workers. Logistically, under these extraordinary circumstances, it simply isn’t possible to hold an election tomorrow that will be considered legitimate by Ohioans. They mustn’t be forced to choose between their health and exercising their constitutional rights.”

That release left some scratching their heads as to how the governor could prevent the election, if a judge had ordered it to take place.–posted 3.16 10:30 pm

Director’s Order Closure of the Polling Locations

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Update: As of 8 pm Monday night, Ohio’s Primary Election was still on for tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17.

Richard Frye, Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge, handed down a decision denying the request of two over-65-year-old Franklin County residents to delay the election until June 2 because it placed them at risk of contracting the coronavirus.  The Columbus Dispatch newspaper quoted Frye as saying it would be a terrible precedent to step in and stop an election 12 hours before the polls were set to open.

Melanie Gilders, director of the Fulton County Board of Elections, was in a meeting at approximately 7:50 pm and could not be reached.

More as this story develops.–posted 3.16 8:09 pm

 

Melanie Gilders, director of the Fulton County Board of Elections, said as of 4:05 pm, Monday, March 16, workers in her office are still preparing for the Tuesday primary election.

Mike DeWine, Ohio governor, announced during his Monday afternoon press conference he is recommending in-person voting be postponed until Tuesday, June 2.

DeWine explained health officials said people who are the most at risk from the Coronavirus are those over 65, pregnant women, and the medically compromised­. Those people, he said, are faced with the choice of possibly exposing themselves to infection or going to the polls to cast a ballot.

To protect the constitutional right of those people to cast ballots, he is recommending the in-person vote be delayed.

DeWine said state officials do not have the authority to suspend the election; therefore, a lawsuit would be filed by individuals this afternoon, Monday, March 16, in Franklin County Common Pleas Court seeking to postpone the vote. He said state government will not oppose the request.

At 4:05 pm, Gilders said she has to prepare for the election as if it is moving forward, in case a judge rules against the request.

She said she expects further clarification from officials in Columbus by early Monday evening.-Posted 3.16, 4:45 pm