Ohio 2020 Presidential Primary Could Be Held St. Patrick's Day

Cuyahoga County Democrats sent a letter to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose this week, expressing their concern over the possibility of holding the 2020 presidential primary on St. Patrick's Day.

Under a provision in the not-yet-passed state budget bill, the 2020 presidential primary would be moved from March 10 to March 17, meaning voting would occur during one of Cleveland's most popular holidays. However, changes by the Republican National Committee may have prompted the move.

According to the Dayton Daily News, states that wish to award delegates on a winner-takes-all basis must hold primary elections after March 15, under GOP mandate. States that hold their primaries before March 15 will award delegates on a proportional basis. To avoid changing how Ohio's delegates are awarded to Republican candidates, the primary was moved.

Democrats said the decision to move the primary could be "reckless."

"St. Patrick’s Day is a huge day of celebration in Cleveland and in our districts and we are very concerned about the effect this will have on people’s ability to vote that day. Our families, friends and neighbors will be celebrating starting with breakfast, a parade, luncheons and events throughout the day," the collection of nine state representatives wrote.

The Democrats asked LaRose's office to answer six questions, including: how would road closures and lack of parking spaces impact voting, how many poll workers might be lost to St. Patrick's Day festivities, and how many polling places might be unavailable because of the holiday.

"People who otherwise would have been poll workers may have an annual commitment to help with St. Patrick’s Day festivities," the Democrats wrote. "Buildings that otherwise would have served as polling locations may have events planned for the holiday instead."

The letter was signed by State Representatives Bride Rose Sweeney (District 14), Stephanie Howse (District 11), Kent Smith (District 8), Janine Boyd (District 9), Phillip M. Robinson Jr. (District 6), Mike Skindell (District 13), Juanita Brent (District 12), Jeffrey Crossman (District 15), and Terrence Upchurch (District 10).

Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office did not respond to Patch's request for comment during the week.