Joe Biden wins in Arizona, Illinois and Florida, Ohio delays voting
Former Vice President, Joe Biden at a campaign rally in Des Moines.
March 18, 2020
Joe Biden won Arizona with 43.46% compared to Senator Bernie Sanders at 30.54%.
The former vice president won by large margins in Florida and Illinois. By winning most of Arizona’s 67 delegates, Biden is now firmly in the lead.
These are considered the three major primaries and Biden won all of them. But the fact that several states have postponed their primary elections because of the COVID-19 pandemic, could still give Sanders a chance.
Regardless of that, the New York Times stated that pressure could greatly intensify for “Mr. Sanders to end his campaign and allow Democrats to unify behind Mr. Biden as their presumptive nominee.”
The wins in Florida and Illinois represent the confidence in Mr. Biden from most Democrats, and a rejection of Mr. Sanders’s candidacy and policies.
Ohio was supposed to be one of four states holding democratic presidential primaries on Tuesday, but Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) postponed the election at the last moment. Dan Horn reported for the Cincinnati Enquirer early Tuesday morning that DeWine’s initial attempt to postpone the election was overruled by a judge in Franklin County. Horn also reported that DeWine’s health department director, Amy Acton actually stepped in and postponed the voting based on concerns over the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Rebecca Morin of USA Today, updated the list of states who have delayed primary voting.
Maryland has decided to postpone its primary for two months, from April 2 to June 2.
Kentucky will postpone voting in their state for 35 days, moving their scheduled primary date from May 19 to June 23.
Georgia will delay voting from March 24 to May 19.
Louisiana has announced that they will hold their primary on June 20, instead of April 4.
Wyoming has suspended the state’s April caucus and are allowing constituents to vote by mail.
Puerto Rico’s presidential primary will also be delayed.
All states who have delayed voting cite concerns for polling place workers and community members at large amid continued efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19.
