Tuesday will be yet another big moment for the Democratic primary, as three states go to the primary polls. Interestingly, Ohio has postponed their election out of fears that the novel coronavirus could cause complications for the polling process.
All said, Tuesday’s contests will award around fifteen percent of the total delegates in the Democratic primary, and, following these states casting their votes, roughly sixty-one percent of all delegates will be pledged. As such, this marks a major date at this stage in the primaries.
The COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping through the nation and laying bare the problems with America’s medical system and wealth inequality. Many are speculating that progressive Bernie Sanders could surge as Americans take his policy proposals to heart, including his much-discussed Medicare for All plan.
Florida, a major swing state and the biggest prize of the night, will be awarding up to 219 delegates. A victory there could be decisive for either former vice president Joe Biden or Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Many have speculated that a Florida victory could also indicate an ability to draw together a diverse electorate, as Florida is comprised of a very wide variety of demographics.
Illinois will be an interesting state to watch, as it is the home state of former president Barrack Obama, whom Biden was VP under. Whether that translates into a win for the moderate candidate or if it has no bearing on voters’ decision will be seen Tuesday. Aware of the history, Sanders made sure to visit the state three times in March, to Biden’s one visit. Illinois has 155 delegates to award.
Sanders has, so far, fared quite well in Western states. He is expected to perform well in Arizona, though some polling shows Biden performing well in the state, at Sanders expense. With only 67 delegates to pledge, however, Arizona won’t be as big of a prize as Florida. Sanders, who currently trails Biden by only 153 delegates, needs every win he can get, though.
Ohio governor Mark DeWine sued to have Ohio’s polling date pushed back to June 2. However, a judge dismissed the suit, stating that polls would be legally required to remain open. Acting against this ruling, DeWine stated that the state’s health director would keep the polls shut down on March 17 anyway.
In the meantime, Ohio’s secretary of state is working with the courts to settle on a new polling date. DeWine seemed to be disobeying a court order at first. However, a last-minute decision from the Ohio supreme court backed his decision to delay voting.
