Presidential election continues despite COVID-19 concerns

Despite+the+COVID-19+pandemic%2C+the+2020+presidential+election+continues.+With+the+election+happening+in+Nov.+households+in+the+state+of+Washington+will+receive+ballots+that+can+be+mailed+in+or+dropped+off+at+ballot+boxes+like+this+one+in+Canyon+Park+Plaza.+Photo+by+Sonya+Sheptunov

Sonya Sheptunov

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 presidential election continues. With the election happening in Nov. households in the state of Washington will receive ballots that can be mailed in or dropped off at ballot boxes like this one in Canyon Park Plaza. Photo by Sonya Sheptunov

Miles Gelatt, News Editor

Presidential campaigns continue even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. On March 17, President Donald Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee after clinching the majority of delegates. Former Vice President Joe Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee after Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race. In the latest polls, 

Biden is leading Trump with a national percentage of 48% to 41%, according to 270towin. Biden is also currently leading in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, and Florida. The coronavirus pandemic has also affected the election. The Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee has been postponed to Aug. 17, and several states including New York, Maryland and Connecticut have either canceled or postponed their primaries to later dates. Kansas, Oregon, Ohio, Alaska and Wyoming have either held mail-in only primaries or plan to.   

“To protect the health and safety of voters, poll workers and the most vulnerable populations, it just makes most sense to extend the date out to August,” Connecticut Governor  Ned Lamont said in a statement on his state postponing their primary to Aug. 11. This date change will allow us to make it easier to protect the health and safety of voters and local election officials.”