NJ's Primary Delayed As Coronavirus Toll Rises

Tom Davis
Updated ·5 min read

UPDATE: Gov. Phil Murphy said the primary will be held on July 7.

Murphy said the new date will allow in-person voting because hopefully the outbreak won't be as severe by then. He also said it would give New Jersey more time to get ready for mail-in voting. Read more: Gov. Murphy: More NJ Restrictions As 275 More Die Of Coronavirus

NEW JERSEY – Expect the June 2 primary election to be delayed as New Jersey continues to deal with the effects of the coronavirus crisis, and lawmakers have a new date in mind.

Sources told Patch that New Jersey will likely postpone its June 2 primary election to July 7, expecting that the coronavirus outbreak will continue to have an impact into the summer.

The possible postponement comes as the number of cases continues to rise in New Jersey. Murphy will speak at a news conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday, and Patch will cover it live. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Last week, Murphy said the Democratic Party's decision to move the national presidential convention to Aug. 17 gave New Jersey "a lot more flexibility than I thought we had two days ago."

"We're going to make a decision on that very soon, but I'll be stunned if we stay at June 2," Murphy said.

The governor already has taken some steps to make sure that the coronavirus outbreak doesn't impact elections that were supposed to be held in the spring, either postponing them or requiring a vote by mail. Read more: Governor Murphy Moves NJ School District Election Deadlines

The filing deadline for running for the primary elections was March 30, and many candidates are slated to run for local elections. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are expected to square off in the Democratic presidential primary.

Murphy offered some insight into how long the coronavirus crisis may last in New Jersey just as he was providing an update to the outbreak's toll on Monday: 3,663 new cases and 86 more deaths. The numbers marked the second day in a row that the numbers were much lower than the outbreak's worst day on Saturday. Read more: Gov. Murphy: Coronavirus May 'Spill Meaningfully Into The Summer'

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Here's what else you should know:

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

  • Stay home when you are sick.

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

This article originally appeared on the Morristown Patch