RI Board Of Elections Calls To Reschedule Primary: Coronavirus

PROVIDENCE, RI — Just hours after Governor Gina Raimondo said she had "no plans" to move Rhode Island's presidential primary from April 28, the state's Board of Elections voted to change the date to June 2. By a vote of six to one, the council called for Raimondo to issue an executive order to change the date.

"I think we're setting ourselves up for failure if we use the April 28 date," one member of the council said.

During Tuesday's press conference, Raimondo said she did not plan to move the primary date.

According to the board, more than 3,600 mail ballot applications have been received so far, 26 percent more than in 2016.

Pushing the primary off will allow cities and towns more time to prepare, another member of the council said. So far, 11 town or city halls have closed, with many others operating with only essential personnel. In addition, many members of the local boards of canvassers are considered "high risk" and cannot come in to sign mail ballot certification sheets, the board's agenda said.

With the primary just six weeks away and many experts saying the outbreak will likely last longer, it might be easier to hire poll workers and find sites for polling if delayed.

In a survey of boards of canvassers, 81 percent were in favor of pushing off the primary.

Watch the full meeting below.