Delaware presidential primary postponed for the second time

DOVER, Del. (AP) — Democratic Gov. John Carney has postponed Delaware’s presidential primary for the second time because of the coronavirus and ordered state elections officials to mail absentee ballot applications to every Democratic and Republican voter in the state.

Carney said Thursday that in addition to allowing universal absentee voting, the Department of Elections will be required to operate only a limited number of polling places on Election Day. His directive calls for at least six polling places in each county to allow in-person voting for those choosing not to cast absentee ballots.

The state has more than 430 voting districts, and more than 310 polling places were open in the 2016 presidential primary. Delaware is a closed primary state, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in primary elections.

This year, voters going to polling places for the presidential primary will have to wear masks, with no more than 10 people inside at a time.

In March, Carney ordered the scheduled April 28 primary to be pushed back to June 2. He also expanded the definition of “sick or physically disabled” as justification for being allowed to cast an absentee ballot to include those who do not have symptoms of the virus but are abiding by public health guidelines by exercising self-quarantine or social distancing.

Carney also said at the time that school board elections scheduled for May 12 would be postponed until June 16. He pushed back the date again on Thursday to July 21.

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