Voters Cast Primary Ballots in Three States Despite Coronavirus

Democrats in Florida, Illinois, and Arizona refused to let a novel coronavirus usurp their right to vote. Wearing masks and gloves, they stood in line to support Vice-President Joe Biden or Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Ohio decided to call off its primary at the last minute because of the health concerns posed by Covid-19.

“The Democratic Party primary season is just about over,” Dr. Sekou Franklin, a political science professor at Middle Tennessee State, asserted as early returns indicated a big night in Illinois and Florida for Biden.

“This pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives and every aspect of this campaign,” Biden said in a livestream address from his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

In adherence to the Centers for Disease Control’s guideline to limit groups to less than 10, Biden chose not to have a victory rally like the one in Philadelphia last week after he swept the primaries in Michigan, Missouri, and Mississippi.

During his remarks, Biden reached out to Sanders and his supporters.

He said, “Senator Sanders and I may disagree on tactics, but we share a common vision.” Biden expressed his admiration for the “remarkable passion and tenacity” Sanders’ supporters have contributed to the presidential election, crediting them with a shift in the “fundamental conversation in this campaign.”

Franklin added, “Sanders and his supporters will be pressured to consolidate their support behind Biden.”

Leadership Test

Biden dedicated his remarks to the coronavirus and the wholescale disruptions to everyday life. He thanked the medical community for their devotion, acknowledged poll workers and election officials with “protecting our public health and our democracy”. He also sought to rally Americans.

“Coronavirus doesn’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican…we’re all in this together,” he stated.

Political analysts on the major television networks viewed Biden’s address in terms of President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus. Franklin also noted the comparisons the crisis will promote.

He said, “Assuming that Biden is the nominee, it allows him to draw a sharper contrast between Trump and him. At the same time, COVID-19 exposes the flaws in our election systems. State election systems may be unable to withstand major disruptions without proper planning. Disruptions of the kind that we saw this week adversely impact elderly and poor voters.”

The Last Democratic Debate?

During a one-on-one debate last weekend, Biden and Sanders observed the new norms forged by the outbreak. The two stood six feet apart and instead of shaking hands, they greeted each other with a gentle elbow bump. Biden is 77 years-old and Sanders is 78 which places both men in the group experts say is most likely to contract the coronavirus.

“I’m very careful with the people I’m interacting with,” Sanders said. “And, I’m using a lot of soap.”

 Biden added, “Fortunately, I don’t have any of the underlying conditions……thank God, and I’m in good health. Number three, I’m taking all of the precautions.”

The staff members of the Biden and the Sanders campaign were working from home as a precaution.

Less than a week later, the number of coronavirus cases has increased dramatically. More than 100 Americans have died. And, the nation is struggling to steady itself.

As he ended his primary victory address, Biden added, “I assure you when we see the best in each other we will get through this together.”