Is a second Super Tuesday coming?
Coronavirus delays mean June 2 will be important
WASHINGTON – A second version of Super Tuesday is shaping up in June, as states across the country adjust their voting plans in the face of coronavirus.
Super Tuesday is traditionally the day in a presidential primary when the most delegates are up for grabs. This year, that fell on March 3, when 14 states and one U.S. territory held primary contests and roughly 1/3 of the available delegates were up for grabs.
But with coronavirus postponements mounting, 11 states are now scheduled to vote on June 2 – the most states on a single day since Super Tuesday. Nearly 700 delegates will be up for grabs, compared to the 215 that were originally supposed to be allocated on June 2.
Former Vice President Joe Biden’s catapulted into the delegate lead after March’s Super Tuesday, winning 10 of the 15 contests that day. Biden continued his momentum with two consecutive weeks of key primary wins. Many pundits at the time predicted Biden would lock up the nomination within weeks. He maintains a lead of roughly 300 delegates over his Democratic rival Sen. Bernie Sanders.
But no one has voted in 2 weeks, and only one in-person primary is planned in the next 10 days: Wisconsin. As the primary calendar continues to shift, Sanders may be incentivized by the large number of delegates still on the table to stay in the race.
Who will be voting on June 2:
Connecticut
Original primary date: April 28. Delegates to be awarded: 60 Connecticut will have in-person voting on June 2 in addition to absentee voting. Absentee ballots become available on May 12.
“My most important concerns are allowing every Connecticut voter to make their voice heard in the selection of the presidential candidates, and ensuring that they are able to cast their ballots as safely as possible,” Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill said in a statement on Twitter announcing the changed date.
Delaware
Original primary date: April 28 Delegates to be awarded: 21 There will be an option to vote in person on June 2 but voters also have the opportunity to vote absentee. Voters who are concerned about coronavirus can use the “sick or temporarily or permanently physically disabled” reason when requesting a ballot.
“Delawareans have a basic, fundamental right to vote,” Gov. John Carney said in a statement announcing the change. “Today’s order will preserve that right and allow Delawareans to vote by absentee ballot in the presidential primary on June 2.”
District of Columbia
Delegates to be awarded: 20 The District of Columbia had already been scheduled to vote on June 2 and did not change its primary date due to the coronavirus pandemic. There will be in-person voting and absentee voting available.
Indiana
Original primary date: May 5
Delegates to be awarded: 82 Indiana will have “no excuse” absentee voting by mail for this primary election. Typically, the state only allows vote by mail for those who satisfy at least one of 11 excuses that would prevent them from heading to the polls. There will still be in-person polling sites, too.
“As citizens, we all have a right to elect our leaders in a free and open and, of course, a safe environment,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said when announcing the changes. “It’s one of the cornerstones of this great nation, and so it stands to reason that rescheduling such an election should only be done in a time of emergency.”
Maryland
Original primary date: April 28 Delegates to be awarded: 96 There will be in-person voting, but Gov. Larry Hogan is still encouraging citizens to vote absentee.
“I have two main priorities – keeping Marylanders safe and protecting their constitutional right to vote,” Hogan said at a press conference in Annapolis on March 17.
Montana
Delegates to be awarded: 19 Montana did not change the date of their primary and was set to already vote on June 2. There will be in-person voting on Election Day, but all voters in the state are eligible to vote absentee.
New Jersey
Delegates to be awarded: 126 New Jersey’s primary election was already set for June 2. There will be inperson voting on Election Day, but all voters in the state are eligible to vote absentee.
New Mexico
Delegates to be awarded: 34 New Mexico’s primary election was already scheduled for June 2. There will be in-person voting on Election Day and absentee voting will be available.
Pennsylvania
Original primary date: April 28 Delegates to be awarded: 186 There will be in-person voting, but voters can also apply for mail-in ballots, which do not require an explanatory excuse.
“Delaying this year’s primary election as several other states have done is in the best interests of voters, poll workers and county election officials,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement.
Rhode Island
Original primary date: April 28 Delegates to be awarded: 26 Gov. Gina Raimondo said in a tweet on March 23 that the state’s Board of Elections requested to postpone the primary until June and that the “election take place primarily by mail ballot.”
“I am following the advice of the Board of Elections, and will sign an executive order to do this,” Raimondo said in the tweet.
South Dakota
Delegates to be awarded: 16 South Dakota’s primary election was not moved and was scheduled for June 2. There will be in-person voting on Election Day and absentee voting will be available.