Georgia, Louisiana postpone presidential primaries

By

Emily Aubert
Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential News Briefing
March 16, 2020: Georgia and Louisiana election officials postponed their states’ presidential primaries. Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders debated in Washington, D.C.  blank    blankblank   

Ballotpedia is monitoring changes made to election dates and procedures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Here are the presidential primary updates you need to know:

  • Georgia: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced on Saturday that Georgia was postponing its presidential primary from March 24 to May 19.

  • Louisana: Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced on Friday that Louisiana was rescheduling its presidential primary from April 4 to June 20. Louisiana was the first state to delay its presidential primary in response to the coronavirus.

  • Tuesday’s primaries in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio will continue as scheduled.

How many debates were held in the 2016 Democratic primary?

Notable Quotes of the Day

“We’re definitely voting. They voted during the Civil War. We’re going to vote.”

– Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

“Our priority is to protect the health and safety of all Georgians and to ensure that as many Georgians as possible have an opportunity to vote. Continued in-person voting could compromise both goals.”

– Georgia Sen. Nikema Williams

Debate Night

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders debated Sunday night in Washington, D.C. They discussed the coronavirus pandemic, healthcare, the economy, climate change, and foreign policy. Both candidates spoke for approximately 46 minutes.

For highlights from the debate for each candidate, click here.

Democrats

  • The National Education Association, the largest labor union in the United States, endorsed Joe Biden on Saturday. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker endorsed Biden on Monday.

  • Biden said he raised $33 million in the first half of March.

  • During a digital town hall on Friday, Biden said he endorsed Elizabeth Warren’s bankruptcy plan with student loan relief.

  • Tulsi Gabbard tweeted on Sunday that “the political elite/corporate media are trying to erase [her] candidacy.”

  • Bernie Sanders held a virtual fireside chat on Saturday. He is hosting a digital rally on Monday night with Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García (Ill.) and other guests.

Republicans

  • The White House announced on Saturday that Donald Trump had tested negative for the coronavirus.

  • Trump and his administration’s task force on the coronavirus discussed preventive health and travel measures and the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates to zero on Sunday.

Flashback: March 16, 2016

Fox News canceled its Republican presidential debate in Salt Lake City after Donald Trump and then John Kasich announced they would not attend.blank

Click here to learn more.