Ohio seems to be taking extraordinary steps in its fight to contain and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. The state governor, Mike DeWine, announced the postponement of the state’s polls originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, shutting down more than 3,600 polling locations across the state.
This decision was prompted based on an order from Ohio Health Director, Dr Amy Acton who said she was ordering “the polling locations in the State of Ohio closed on March 17” in order to “avoid the imminent threat with a high probability of widespread exposure to COVID-19 with a significant risk of substantial harm to a large number of the people in the general population, including the elderly and people with weakened immune systems and chronic medical conditions.”
Acton also added, that the order “shall take effect immediately and remain in full force and effect until the State of Emergency declared by the governor no longer exists” or she modifies the order.”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 an unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus.”
DeWine said in the statement announcing the latest change: “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.”
This announcement comes amidst varying reactions from different countries especially the United States, to the global Coronavirus pandemic that has kept people away from their jobs and other forms of social interactions. On Monday, DeWine asked a court to move the primary election to June amid the pandemic, only to be denied by a judge later in the day. However, it remains unclear whether or not closing the polls in Ohio now will be seen as a violation of the court’s ruling.
It is however imperative to note that Illinois, Florida, and Arizona are scheduled to go through with their elections scheduled for this month.
