MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama is postponing its Republican primary runoff between two U.S Senate candidates because of the coronavirus, the governor announced Wednesday.
The runoff between former U.S Sen. and ex-U.S Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville will now be held on July 14, Ivey said. The winner of the GOP runoff will face Democratic .S. Sen. Doug Jones in November. The delay also affects primaries for state and local races.
Five other states also have postponed their primaries because of the coronavirus pandemic: Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland and Ohio. In announcing the decision, Ivey noted the White House recommendation that people avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.
“We would be taking a human health risk just by having people stand in line waiting to vote,” she said. “I’m also aware that our faithful poll workers are often retired and many among those have the highest risk.”
Alabama has 46 confirmed case of coronavirus, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health, which has cautioned that the number of people carrying the virus is probably higher.
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