Election Process in a Pandemic

Astead W. Herndon and Alexander Burns at NY Times:

Even before voting began, there were lines outside polling locations that stretched for several blocks. Some poll workers wore hazmat suits. Nearly every voter wore a face mask, removing it only to make small talk that reflected a combination of determination and grim humor about the extraordinary experience of voting amid a deadly pandemic.

For thousands of people across Wisconsin on Tuesday, fears of the coronavirus outbreak did not stop them from participating in the state’s elections, where critical races such as the Democratic presidential primary and a key state Supreme Court seat were being decided.

“It feels bad to have to choose between your personal safety and your right to vote,” said Dan Bullock, 40, as he waited to vote at Washington High School on Milwaukee’s North Side. “But you have to be heard.”

Many others across the state, however, appeared inclined to stay home as the fear of contracting the disease outweighed their desire to participate in the most fundamental ritual of democracy. Late Monday, Republicans in the state legislature had gone to court to block the Democratic governor’s order to postpone the primary.

In many states, a candidate needs to file signatures to get on a ballot. (In California, primary candidates can either pay a filing fee or submit signatures.)  State laws generally require real pen-and-paper signatures, not electronic ones. Getting those signatures is tough when most public places have closed their doors and people are practicing social distancing.

Kyle Mullens at The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Much of politics is based on personal interactions, but in the midst of a global pandemic, such interactions can be potentially deadly. The COVID-19 outbreak has left third parties in Pennsylvania out in the cold, concerned that they may not be able to get on the ballot for key races in November due to an inability to collect signatures.

“People aren’t willing to take a pen, or a piece of paper” from a petitioner, national Libertarian Party executive director Daniel Fishman said. Additionally, Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home orders — extended to all 67 of Pennsylvania’s counties on Wednesday — have blocked petitioners from attending now-canceled public events or going door-to-door.

In response, both the national Libertarian party and the Green Party of Pennsylvania have called on Mr. Wolf and the state Legislature to waive the petitioning requirements.

From Politico:

“Ed Markey falling short of signatures ahead of May deadline,” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: “The e-mail subject line was notable for an incumbent United States senator: “Help get Ed on the ballot." That was the message the campaign of Edward J. Markey sent out Monday night, asking supporters to help gather some of the thousands of signatures the Malden Democrat still needs to appear on the Sept. 1 primary ballot — a ballot for which challenger Joe Kennedy III is much closer to qualifying.”

This story is remarkable, since Markey is the incumbent and has been a fixture in state politics for decades.