Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed an executive order Friday pushing the state’s May 5 presidential primary to June 2, joining a growing group of governors who’ve postponed elections amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Postponing an election for four weeks without also making it vote-by-mail is worse than useless. It will force voters to go to the polls at the likely peak of the pandemic. This is garbage governing.
Per Indiana law (3 § 3-11-10-1), ballots can be mailed … but are you suggesting that no in-person voting be allowed whatsoever?
I did notice these bits in the governor’s order:
He talks about legislators from “both major political parties” giving their assent but, of course, the Democrats are vastly outnumbered in both chambers.
Indiana does not have no-excuse absentee voting, and voters have to proactively request absentee ballots if they want to vote by mail.
https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2402.htm
ETA: And yes, I am suggesting that if they really want to postpone the election until the projected height of the pandemic, they should make it mail-only.
Yes.
But aside from that, where you and I obviously agree, I was curious to know whether you’re also suggesting that in-person voting be disallowed altogether (for this re-scheduled primary).
Yes.
We Hoosiers vote so late anyway, our votes are usually meaningless for the Presidential election. Next stop, martial law and a lifetime dictator.
Exactly. Louisiana’s primary election was postponed until June. I hope all the states that are postponing elections are preparing for a process of mail in or drop off ballots.
Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote because her emails.
Agreed, for all postponing states there is no guarantee the coronavirus situation will be any better 4, 8, or 12 weeks from now. But there is the bernie factor–if and when he conceeds that removes the obligation to run a primary.
No, a Bernie withdrawal does not mean future presidential primaries are canceled. Not only do delegates still need to be apportioned and awarded in time for the convention, but many other offices are also on the primary ballots for most, maybe even all, of those states.
True, but many fewer people need vote to award delegates in a one-remaining- candidate race. But I had forgotten about the down-ballot races. Switching to vote-by-mail is indeed the best option there.
And they better make it vote by mail nation wide by November for the general election.