COVID-19 Update: Gov Lamont Reschedules Presidential Primary in CT

— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) March 19, 2020

On Thursday afternoon Governor Ned Lamont announced that in coordination with other states and with Secretary of State Denise Merrill, and in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Connecticut Presidential Primary that was scheduled to take place on April 28 will be moved to June 2, 2020.

Secretary of State Denise Merrill had suggested instead allowing rules for absentee ballots to be loosened so that the COVID-19 virus justified issuance of an absentee ballot to voter in Connecticut.

Ms Merrill had asked Gov Lamont to loosen the rules and consider the pandemic an illness that would justify the use of an absentee by any voter.

The primary date is set in state law, but Lamont has the authority under the public health emergency declaration he made on March 10 to waive laws and regulations.

The public health emergency also includes power over quarantines.

While in Greenwich on Tuesday, as of 8:00pm, First Selectman Fred Camillo banned operation in Greenwich of body care facilities, including hair salons, barber shops and nail salons, as well as massage establishments through at least April 30.

On Thursday Gov Lamont made the decision to do likewise across the entire state.


And while Lamont’s press conference was held in an empty auditorium at The Jackson Laboratory Thursday morning, with statewide media participating via video conference in remote locations, Camillo announced he will hold daily afternoon press conference by conference call at 4:00pm.

Stay tuned…