Georgia to postpone primaries

Georgia has become the second state to delay its presidential primaries over coronavirus fears, a day after Louisiana also pushed back voting in primaries.

In-person early voting, which began statewide 2 March, will be halted and the election that was scheduled for 24 March will be moved to 19 May, when Georgia’s other 2020 primary elections are being held, Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger said in a statement on Saturday.

In addition to public safety, one of the biggest considerations was the risk the virus posed to poll workers, who are often older, election officials said.

“Events are moving rapidly and my highest priority is protecting the health of our poll workers, and the community at large,” Raffensperger said.