Sen. Bernie Sanders, who defied all predictions by going from an unknown senator to a national progressive icon, is indicating that he may not be willing to concede in the delegate race.
“This primary is far from over,” Sanders stressed in an email to supporters as voters in Arizona, Florida, and Illinois get ready to cast votes on Tuesday. The three states voting will award a total of 441 delegates.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said the state's primary election cannot be held as scheduled after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) urged against any gatherings nationwide of 50 people or more.
Defying a court ruling, DeWine announced late Monday night that he decided to close the polls as the state "should not force" people to "make this choice" between staying at home and going out to vote.
Sanders was the front-runner in Democratic presidential race till February with his “strong victory” in Iowa’s caucuses, narrow win in New Hampshire and resounding victory in Nevada’s caucuses.
Former Vice President Joe Biden has consolidated his position with a string of decisive primary wins over Sanders in the past two weeks. Front-runner Biden will look to strengthen his dominant lead when three states cast votes in Tuesday’s primaries.
The public opinion polls favoured Joe Biden in all four states, but Biden will still be short of the 1,991 pledged delegates needed to win the nomination. However, if Biden win these states too, Sanders will be under pressure to bow out.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is also in the race, is not expected to win any delegate in today’s primaries.
In the wake of the spread of COVID-19, officials from all the three states would be taking extra precautions to keep voting machines sanitised following instructions from local health officials.
Tuesday’s contests
Arizona — 67 pledged delegates up for grab.. Likely to be the closest of the four states, according to pre-election polls. Voting up to 9/10 pm ET, 7 pm local.
Florida — 219 pledged delegates from today’s vote. Polls are open until 7 pm ET, 7 pm local.
Illinois — There are 155 delegates at stake in today’s contest. Polls will close at 8 pm ET, 7 pm local.
