COVID-19 and the 2020 Elections: How Election Administration Can and Should Be Changed In a Public Health Crisis

With the continuing global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during a presidential election year, election officials across the country are attempting to quickly devise and implement plans that account for the needs of vulnerable voters and poll workers. In March 17th’s primary elections, polling locations have been changed from senior centers and school campuses on very short notice and the March 15th presidential democratic debate was conducted without a live audience. What changes to election administration are needed and possible in states holding primary elections over the next several weeks? What can be done to prepare for November? Could a federal election be delayed or even cancelled due to public health concerns, and if so, by whom? Does the federal government have any authority to interfere with primaries, which are regulated by the states, on account of national health emergency?

Featured Speakers:

Max Feldman, Counsel, Democracy Program, Brennan Center for Justice

Hannah Fried, National Campaign Director, All Voting Is Local

Elizabeth Howard, Counsel, Democracy Program, Brennan Center for Justice

Daniel P. Tokaji, Charles W. Ebersold and Florence Whitcomb Ebersold Professor of Constitutional Law, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

Lindsay Langholz, Director of Policy and Program, ACS, Moderator

The American Constitution Society is a State Bar of California approved CLE provider. This event has been approved for 1 hour of California MCLE credit.

For CLE documentation, click here.

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