Ohio Polls Ordered Closed Because Of Health Emergency

COLUMBUS, OH — State officials will order Ohio's polling locations closed on Tuesday because they are part of a "health emergency," Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Monday night. A court blocked Ohio's attempt to postpone the primary until June 2 on Monday.

A spokesperson for DeWine told Patch he could not clarify whether or not Ohio's primary election will end Tuesday, but added that Secretary Frank LaRose is trying to produce a judicial remedy."

"During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis, to conduct an election tomorrow would would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at a unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus," DeWine said in a statement.

Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health, signed an order directing polling locations closed because of a health emergency. She said voters and poll workers "face an unacceptable risk of contracting COVID-19.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose will try to push the primary to June 2 using the court system.

A lawsuit that would have postponed Tuesday's election was blocked by Common Pleas Court Judge Richard Frye on Monday evening, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Frye said it would set terrible precedent to allow a governor to move an election 12 hours before voting was set to begin. Frye's ruling is being appealed.

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The ACLU of Ohio said the rescheduling of elections cannot become the new normal in Ohio, but the extreme circumstances surrounding the spread of COVID-19 require drastic action — namely, expanding absentee voting opportunities. The original vote-by-mail deadline was originally Monday, March 16, but it's unclear if that ballots sent after that deadline will be accepted, in the wake of Monday evening's developments.

"Public health and participatory democracy are not a binary choice. We must be proactive and implement long-term solutions that keep Ohioans safe without jeopardizing the integrity of our democracy,”said Freda Levenson, legal director of the ACLU of Ohio.

Ohio was attempting to postpone its primary election to June 2 because of the new coronavirus, DeWine said Monday. The state filed a lawsuit in the Common Pleas Court of Franklin County to extend the voting deadline because DeWine does not have the authority to solely decide to move an election.

"Logistically, under these extraordinary circumstances, it simply isn’t possible to hold an election tomorrow that will be considered legitimate by Ohioans. They mustn’t be forced to choose between their health and exercising their constitutional rights," DeWine and Secretary of State Frank LaRose said in a joint statement on Monday evening.

On Monday afternoon, many poll workers statewide were told not to show up to voting locations, according to texts and voicemails obtained by Patch. On Monday evening, those same poll workers were told the situation was changing and to monitor their phones and email accounts.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said it was unfair to make people pick between their health and exercising the constitutional right to vote. The leaders of both the Ohio Republican Party and the Ohio Democratic Party have voiced their support for delaying the primary election, CNN reported.

LaRose said officials selected June 2 to ensure Ohio delegates could be present at the Democratic National Convention, but the deadline is pushed off enough to ensure voters could vote by mail.

COVID-19 in Ohio

There are now 50 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus, the Ohio Department of Health announced Monday. Fourteen people are currently hospitalized because of the virus. DeWine also announced a new slate of closures to halt the virus' spread.

The youngest person infected by the virus is 14.

Cuyahoga County continues to have the most cases in Ohio, with 24 confirmed. Belmont (2), Butler (6), Franklin (3), Geauga (1), Lorain (3), Lucas (1), Medina (2), Stark (3), Summit (2), Trumbull (2) and Tuscarawas (1) also have confirmed COVID-19 cases.

"People who are 65 or older should not leave their homes unless absolutely necessary," DeWine said Monday.

Fitness centers, gyms, public recreation centers, bowling alleys, movie theaters, indoor water parks and indoor trampoline parks will all be closed starting Tuesday, DeWine announced. Gatherings of 50 people or more are banned in Ohio.

State officials have taken several steps to limit the spread of the virus. On Sunday, DeWine and state officials ordered all bars and restaurants closed statewide. Carryout and delivery will be allowed to continue, but dine-in services will be barred.

However, grocery stores and restaurants will remain open, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.

Ohio is expanding its unemployment benefits program to anyone impacted by the virus' spread. Employees who are laid off or out of work because of the virus, or employees who are told to quarantine, now qualify immediately for benefits. More information on the new unemployment policies can be found on the Department of Jobs and Family Services website.

Safety Tips

Ohioans are being urged to practice social distancing — limiting their exposure to other people — until this outbreak slows. Health officials said Ohioans should follow many of the same health and safety tips they practice during flu season to help halt the spread of the new coronavirus.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

The Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 call center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be reached at 833-4-ASK-ODH (833-427-5634). Workers will answer any questions about the virus and the state's response.