Wisconsin governor seeks delay of Tuesday's election

Wisconsin governor seeks delay of Tuesday's election

Democratic Governor Tony Evers moved on Monday to postpone Wisconsin's primary election from Tuesday until June 9, citing health risks from the coronavirus pandemic, but Republicans said they would challenge the order in the state Supreme Court.

Colette Luke has more.

(SOUNDBITE) WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TONY EVERS SAYING: "We expect more cases, we expect more deaths, we expect more tragedies..." Citing health risks, the Democratic governor of Wisconsin Tony Evers Monday issued an executive order postponing the state's primary election from Tuesday until June 9th.

But Republicans said they would challenge it in the state Supreme Court.

The late postponement came after the Republican-controlled legislature rejected Evers' call last week to cancel in-person voting on Tuesday and extend the time to return absentee ballots into late May.

(SOUNDBITE) WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TONY EVERS SAYING: "I cannot in good conscience allow any types of gatherings that would further the spread of this disease and put more lives at risk.

I've been advised by public health experts that despite efforts of local election officials, there is not a sufficiently safe way to administer in-person voting tomorrow.

Wisconsin residents are under orders to stay at home... and the state's municipalities were reporting a shortage of poll workers, forcing a consolidation of polling sites.

Some state officials had warned of potential chaos if the voting went ahead.

Republican legislative leaders said Evers did not have the authority to postpone the election and moved quickly to block his executive order in court.