a horrendous precedent if governor is allowed to violate a court order and delay an election.

[Cha]

Link to tweet

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. They would like nothing better than to push us up to a convention fight. Screw them. nt

[Cha]

3. I know, Tarheel, when it's the voters who want Biden and the SuperDs

Link to tweet

Thank you

[Blue_true]

67. Whether that happens or not depends on how far Senator Bernie Sanders wants to take this.

Sanders is most likely to have his ass handed to him in Florida, Illinois and Arizona today. Will he see those outcomes as a signal, or will he ignore them? Fortunately, the primary is headed to a string of big, democrat governor led states, that makes republican's chances to ratfuck things limited - there simply are no more republican governor or Secretary of State led states left that are big enough to matter outside of Ohio . In the end, what Ohio is doing won't matter for the democratic primary, but it sets a dangerous precedent for the General.

[LongtimeAZDem]

2. Bernie should condemn it, but since it benefits him, he won't

[Cha]

6. We'll see if it benefits him or not..

he thought the debate would.

[LizBeth]

11. Sanders started this conversation last night.

[elleng]

4. He'll argue it wasn't him but the 'health authority,'

and 'exigent circumstances.'

[MarcA]

7. Wonder if drumph and the oligarchs might try the same for November.

At least one good thing from this precedent, if we can have an election and a
Democratic President is elected maybe they can do the same to Moscow Mitch's Supreme Court.

[onetexan]

30. Ageee, & seems thos GOP gov is bent on sabotaging the election to swong it Bernie's way

[Sunsky]

5. Absolutely

I just responded with something similar in another post. Trump is taking notes. We cannot allow these Republicans to constantly circumvent the law.

[PoliticAverse]

8. Yeah it's like there some type of crisis occuring of something.

Maybe Conservative Jennifer Rubin can explain to us all how Covid-19 is no big deal.

[Drunken Irishman]

9. Where do you draw the line?

If this were to have happened in November, would you be cool with Trump telling Republican governors to defy the courts and postpone, if not cancel, their state elections?

[PoliticAverse]

12. It's not November. Primary elections aren't all on the same day. The last Democratic primary

(Kentucky) is scheduled for June 23rd. There's plenty of time for Ohio to finish the primary before then.

> would you be cool with Trump telling Republican governors to defy the courts and postpone, if not cancel, their state elections?

Sorry, but the Presidential election won't be postponed. And states with Republican governors are likely to be voting for Trump so without their votes being counted he's less likely to win.

[Drunken Irishman]

15. The precedent has been set.

Do you not understand that? If we're saying it's too risky to hold an election right now, then you can't do an about face and say, if the situation is equally bad in November, or ten Novembers from now, that it's reasonable to hold an election. This is the problem. Once that genie is out of the bottle, and we've got governors defying the courts to postpone an election, you just gave every possible jusitification to do it in the future.

And your last comment is just naive.

Here's a list of states with Republican governors that have gone Democratic in at least one of the last three elections:

Florida
Iowa
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Ohio
Vermont

We may find this election comes down to Iowa or Arizona (also a Republican governor).

But you'd be a hypocrite if you are here advocating for the postponing of an election due to this health crisis and not advocating for such if it were to happen again - and this time in November.

[PoliticAverse]

27. Well think about this for a minute...

Suppose a Republican governor did such a thing in November. What do you think that'd do to Democratic turnout in the rest of the country? Trump didn't win by a big margin, you know.

> But you'd be a hypocrite if you are here advocating for the postponing of an election due to this health crisis and not advocating for such if it were to happen again - and this time in November.

Actually no, postponing a primary election (the timing of which isn't vital as long as it happens before the convention) isn't the same as the November election the timing of which is specifically provided for in the Constitution.

[Drunken Irishman]

29. Sweet. So, we win California by 25 points instead of 20!

Woohoo!

As to your last point - it's irrelevant. Your whole point is irrelevant. You can't have it both ways. Either it's absolutely vital to keep people out of the polls or it isn't. The stakes of the election, or the timing, is irrelevant. See, this is where your whole argument falls apart and why it's so flimsy in the first place. If it's about the actual health of the population, and there is no reasonable way to hold an election without risking the lives of millions, you can't suggest that automatically just changes in November - unless you're willing to admit that it's not the well-being of the people that's at the root of the issue here but the expendability of the election.

At the end of the day, precautions can be taken, as is the case when people go grocery shopping (which is still permitted in Ohio mind you) to not only uphold the Democratic process but also do so in a safe manner.

But what you don't seem to get, or refuse to acknowledge for some silly reason, is that once you justify postponing one election, especially when you defy the goddamn courts, you've opened that door to it happening again in the future. Sometimes all it takes is that one moment to change the mentality and justification of doing it. Then next thing you know, 20 years from now, elections are scarcer than ever before.

If we could hold an election during the Civil War and the Spanish Flu and World War II, we certainly can during this pandemic. In fact, we better get used to the idea because it's possible if we're going to have ANY election between now and the end of the primaries, we'll have to do it with these limitations.

[PoliticAverse]

31. "If we could hold an election during ... the Spanish Flu" - the Spanish Flu

is an example of a major public health _failure_.

Again it isn't "absolutely vital" to hold a primary in any state right now considering that the last primary is being held June 23rd.

[True Blue American]

78. Ohio has always

Had their Primary on the first Tuesday in May. This was a new one for us.

[Cha]

13. Jennifer Rubin isn't the only one who's saying this..

How do you feel about Fred Guttenberg?

It does set a dangerous precedent to have a gov defy a court order to cancel an election.. especially a repub gov cancel a Dem Primary. The other govs aren't doing it.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[PoliticAverse]

14. Silly virus - doesn't it know how important primary elections are?

The last Democratic primary election (Kentucky) is scheduled for June 23rd. There's plenty of time for Ohio voters to vote before then.

[Drunken Irishman]

16. You keep saying that - this is wrong.

In fact, it may be the best time to have the election because it's possible things get worse. Even Trump is now saying it could last until August and then guess what? There goes the convention - there goes the Democrats even having a nominee and there goes that Kentucky primary.

What if, in two months, we're still not able to hold an election because this is still not under control? Do we just bag it and not have a nominee?

This is fucking bonkers that some on the left are advocating for the postponing of an election.

[PoliticAverse]

19. Sorry,but the Democrats _will_ have a nominee. Even if the Ohio primary is never held. n/t

[Drunken Irishman]

22. If the Ohio primary is never held, no other primary will be held after Tuesday.

And we've just disenfranchised half the party.

Say hello to a second Trump term.

[PoliticAverse]

24. If a Republican Governor cancels a primary why would "disenfranchised" Democrats blame

anyone but Republicans?

Maybe they might be mad enough to elect a Democratic governor next time even.

[Drunken Irishman]

26. If Ohio is canceled, there won't be any other primary...

That goes for Democratic states like Pennsylvania. If Ohio cancels outright, that means there's not going to be an opportunity to postpone and move it down to a later date - in that scenario, it's hard to imagine ANY primary happening.

Again, we just set the precedent.

How is that not going to disenfranchise Democratic voters? Regardless who's responsible - if no votes are held, that means we'll have to select a nominee who didn't win a majority of the delegates within the primary process. You don't think that'll have ripples? Are you naive?

[Cha]

20. "This is fucking bonkers that some on the left are advocating for the postponing of an election."

Yes, I wonder why?

[jimfields33]

50. That little pandemic is a pain

God forbid millions go out among the public during a basic lock down. Glad they cancelled. I wish Florida did. I hope this doesn’t spread due to this primary today. Hard to believe that people are t allowed to go to school but congregating in a small building is just awesome.

[LongtimeAZDem]

63. I am leaving to vote in jsut a few mnutes. Am I concerned? Of course. But I will not let my fear

silence out my vote.

[jimfields33]

68. I went and voted. Three people were there.

I am so interested in final Florida over all numbers.

[LizBeth]

25. Exactly.

[jimfields33]

49. All moot

Ohio Supreme Court says there’s a dangerous virus going on and having millions out in public during a pandemic is ill advised. Ohio primary postponed.

[Drunken Irishman]

77. How is any of what I said moot?

If we're unable to hold a primary, how is the party going to pick a nominee?

[Blue_true]

69. What will happen, Irishman, is democrats will have a nominee.

A nominee will be chosen by party leaders (DNC members from all states and the DNC Chair) - the dreaded "Establishment". That will set off a firestorm that will play in November.

Senator Sanders can gracefully end this today, if what I expect to see happens. He could say that the will of the great majority of democratic voters is clear, he is suspending his campaign and that Representative Gabbard should suspend her campaign also. Senator Bernie Sanders has two paths that he can take, history will remember him only for the path that he chooses to follow.

[Drunken Irishman]

76. Yup. That's my fear.

[Cha]

18. Repub gov is Defying a Court Order to cancel a Dem

primary election. The other primaries are going on.

[LongtimeAZDem]

61. If we are too cowardly to keep democracy in a crisis, we've already lost it

[ucrdem]

64. Well said.

[LizBeth]

10. Things won't be different two months from now. No offer of other means. This is on Sanders.

He started this last night with his people. It was not even on the radar until Sanders.

[PoliticAverse]

17. Good for Sanders then. Nice to see some potician is actually taking CDC recomendations seriously.

(And no, I still don't think he should be the nominee).

[Drunken Irishman]

21. At this rate, we won't have a nominee.

We won't have any other primaries after Tuesday because things are going to get worse and Sanders ain't going to drop out. We'll have to do a virtual convention with the delegate math as it is after Tuesday and no candidate is going to be remotely close to the majority needed to win the nomination.

This move is going to disenfranchise millions of voters.

But that's okay. We're only talking about this on, uh, DEMOCRATIC Underground.

[LizBeth]

23. Exactly. This would have been a decisive end to Sanders and he knew it.

[PoliticAverse]

32. Sanders won't be the nominee. n/t

[Blue_true]

71. Sanders won't be the nominee.

But he could force DNC members to choose the nominee via a virtual vote. Voters who have spoken says the nominee should be Biden, I doubt the DNC members in the virtual vote go against that. The selection process gives Sanders and his supporters something to complain about and call corrupt, even when the process yielded what voters are clearly indicating they want.

[atreides1]

60. The CDC???

Would that be the same CDC in this article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2020/03/02/how-the-cdc-botched-its-initial-coronavirus-response-with-faulty-tests/#64025d04670e


The problem I have with trusting the CDC is that they work for Trump...and Trump demands personal loyalty.

You might want to read up on Dr. Redfield, the current CDC director...his recent performance leaves me with many questions...

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 was discovered in the US on January 20th, 2020 while Redfield was serving as director of the CDC. Redfield testified on capitol hill on March 2nd, 2020 about the outbreak of COVID-19 in the US. Given the lack of testing on patients and healthcare workers requesting testing, Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz asked Redfield about who was responsible to ensure testing could be performed on individual who needed to be tested. Redfield could not name a specific individual and attempted to dodge the question. Eventually, Redfield looked to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of infectious disease at the NIH, who stated, "The system is not geared to what we need right now... that is a failing."

[bornskeptic]

75. If the primary is postponed for a couple of weeks

people who haven't voted would have plenty of time to request an absentee ballot and send it in. In Ohio absentee ballots can be requested up to three days before the election and only need to be postmarked by election day.

https://ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/site/government/resources/absentee-and-early-in-person-voting

[PoliticAverse]

80. Great time to promote voting by mail. n/t

[Celerity]

28. Either the nation is serious about stopping COVID-19 or they are not. If holding primary

elections are counter to everything that is going on in terms of spread containment in most all advanced nations (and the federal and state actions going on now in the US) then it is madness to try and ram them trough. Millions of people flocking together across multiple states is a viral-spreading nightmare. ALL the primaries need to be postponed.

[Maeve]

33. Much as I hate to defend DeWine....

I think he's trying to do the right thing for Ohio health; I also think he's doing the wrong thing per the law, but he did try going thru the courts first. Now the Dept of Health is making the decision...

And I'm mostly shaking my head.

[Cha]

34. Why couldn't he send out

absentee ballots to registered voters? He wouldn't want to disenfranchise them if he's trying to do the right thing.

I don't blame people for being suspicious of his motives.. like myself.

[Maeve]

35. I think that would have to involve the legislature

which, in Ohio, is about as functional as the US Senate

They are trying for to be in-person early and absentee balloting up til June 2, with a "normal" election day on June 2. We are used to not having an early enough primary to have much say in candidate choice--thought this year was going to be different!
There WILL be fights about this in court, I have no doubt.

[Cha]

36. Thank you, Maeve.. I saw your explanation

on another thread about the absentee ballots.. that they were only for the GE.

I know this must put you and others in a hard position.. wanting to vote but also worried about CV. I hope it gets better instead of worse and you are able to vote down the line.

[True Blue American]

37. Calm down guys.

There is time to go to all mail ballots before the election.

There was good and bad in this decision. As a former Poll worker they would be putting at risk hundreds or thousands of poll workers at risk in a long,hard 15 hour day, more in a lot of cases.

I know I will be requesting an absentee ballot from now on. We used to get a notice, but Jon Husted killed that.

[True Blue American]

40. They are making plans to do that,

Cha. They have asked those 65 and older to stay home. We will vote one way or the other.

This may actually be a good thing forcing them into voting by mail.

[Cha]

43. Good to hear.. TY TBA!

[True Blue American]

38. I agree

Mike is trying to do the right thing.

Not sure why many think Bernie has anything to do with this.

[Maeve]

39. Many seem to be viewing this as a Democratic primary only

Not realizing there are bond issues and levies on the ballot as well. And one of the people fighting hardest is a Republican in a contested race.

[True Blue American]

41. Gym Jordan?:)

[Maeve]

42. Don't we wish!!!!

Additionally, a candidate in a contested Republican primary for Wood County Common Pleas Court filed an action in the Ohio Supreme Court alleging the delay of the primary violated election laws.

Corey Speweik of Bowling Green filed the case against the Wood County Board of Elections and LaRose, arguing a “judical fiat” could not change the election date. His lawyer, Andy Mayle, condemned the late decision: “We think they waited on purpose until the 11th hour.”

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200316/coronavirus-ohio-election-called-off-by-health-director-despite-judgersquos-ruling

[True Blue American]

45. The trouble with early voting

Are the limited places you can vote. BOE’s are not convenient for most people. My precinct is just a few doors from me at my Church.

But I will be requesting absentee from now one.

The State hous gang is as bad as the Senate. Sherrod Brown was more angry than I have ever seen over Mitch going to Ky, losing 4 days. Many Democrats went after him, too!

Mitch needs to be taken down.

[LisaL]

53. Exactly. Only one voting place per county.

Regardless of how big or small the county is. So early voting has more lines and more people. I was expecting to vote quickly with no lines on primary day.

[True Blue American]

55. Being n a small Precinct

Although they have now combined more we had all kinds of machines, being easily checked in by scanning we had our choice of machine or scanning. If you go mid morning it is never busy.

I have heard from those who went in for early voting say never again. Downtown parking is awful, crowded.

DeWine said the elderly would vote from home.The Ohio SOS was just on CNN! I approve of this decision. Many Poll Workers are Retirees.

[Cha]

44. Yeah, didn't know that.. TY!

[stopbush]

46. All this does is disenfranchise Ds in Ohio from having any say in who will be our

nominee for POTUS.

It will be a moot point because Biden is going to win Florida in a landslide and that will be it for Sanders.

[Maeve]

47. Ohio usually doesn't have much say in the candidate choice

Our primary is normally in May. This year was going to be different...ah, well!

[True Blue American]

48. You are so right. June 2nd

Is not that much later.

[Blue_true]

72. Also. Every one of the significant remaining states are led by Democratic Governors.

I believe those governors will come up with a way for people to vote when their state's turn arrive.

I just hope that Sanders gets a clear message today and heeds that message.

[PoliticAverse]

81. Only if the primary is permanently cancelled and not just postponed. The Kentucky primary...

is June 23rd.

[samnsara]

51. gives them all that much longer to get an absentee ballot..

...they will be all mail in whether they want to or not...

[LisaL]

54. Again, what is the mechanism for it?

What is the mechanism by which DeWine can jut move the primary to any day he chooses?
He didn't have legal authority to postpone the election, so I doubt he has legal authority to have a new one.
Some people already early voted.
Some people already absentee voted.
Would those be the only ones that count?

[ucrdem]

57. And in 3 months who's to say whether all these ballots will still be around?

I'm guessing this is going to be a primary straight from h#ll, and is never going to do Biden any good, by design. But we'll be assured it's all just a big misunderstanding as usual

[True Blue American]

58. The Health Department made the decision.

[True Blue American]

56. And I approve.

[Mike Niendorff]

52. K&R

Cannot be allowed to s6and.

Aggressive response needed. NOW.


MDN

[ucrdem]

62. France held elections on Sunday and they are way further along in the crisis.

If you respect democracy, you make it work. I don't think there's any question but that this was a craven political ploy at the behest of the pretender-in-chief. Props to Ohio voters who have to navigate this mess.

[PoliticAverse]

82. Coronavirus causes French voters to stay away from local elections

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/15/coronavirus-causes-french-voters-to-stay-away-from-municipal-elections

[LisaL]

88. Well, in OH, early voting was up compared to the previous primary.

Despite it also being conducted during corona virus.
It's far from clear what is going to happen now with the election. As of now it's cancelled. Secretary of state will have to go to court.

[mcar]

65. We need vote by mail in every state

We've needed it for ages and now it's an absolute necessity.

[Blue_true]

73. You know that in Florida, a person's signature can be challenged.

That is why in person is better in Florida. To promote greater mailin ballot participation, republicans must stop the obsurd signature challenger - OR - we should replace them via the vote and make Florida reliably blue (it seems headed that direction, abeit slowly).

[mcar]

74. Our SOE informs us if there's a challenge

but yes, it needs to be eliminated.

[LisaL]

89. The same in OH. They are really strict and every little mistake could

disqualify your ballot. Which is why i didn't want to vote absentee.

[William769]

66. You go girl!

[Cha]

83. It's Tuesday!! Let's finish this!!#FloridaPrimary #IllinoisPrimary #ArizonaPrimary

Link to tweet

Voters Wanting to Get trump OUT!

Mahalo for Voting, William

[LAS14]

70. I find the picture of 35,000 mostly elderly people sitting at a desk as...

... hundreds of people file by each one very persuasive. I can easily imagine a Democratic governor doing the same thing. He didn't cancel it. He postponed it. Other states have time to prepare for all mail in elections, etc.

[True Blue American]

79. June 2nd

And DeWine Saigon the elderly would be able to vote from home.

I am not worried. This was actually common sense.

[rockfordfile]

84. This is not about the virus because he hasn't closed anything else

To close voting this close to it is corruption. Look be-careful when you go. Wear gloves and maybe a mask and when done wash your hands.

[Cha]

85. OIh Wow.. I didn't know that.. thank you, rockfordfile

[NotASurfer]

86. If I'm not mistaken Ohio has closed public schools, bars,

restaurants, gyms, and state universities, and declared a state of emergency Sunday.

I'd guess this is fear-driven rather than malicious, and that regardless Dewine accepts the consequences of defying a court order.

[LisaL]

87. Yea, but supermarkets aren't closed, and I suspect voting was going

to be much safer than going to the supermarket.
They were supposedly all stocked up on sanitizer and prepared.
I understand they are concerned about elderly poll workers, but couldn't they issue poll workers with masks, gowns, and gloves?

[Cha]

90. Thank you for this, Lisa..

Link to tweet