While millions of Texans have had much of their lives put on hold due to the response to the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, so too have a number of political campaigns, as Gov. Greg Abbott has just officially announced that the primary runoff elections—originally scheduled for May 26—have now been pushed back to July 14.
According to a release from the governor’s office on Friday evening, “Holding the runoff in May would cause the congregation of large gatherings of people in confined spaces and cause numerous election workers to come into close proximity with others. This would threaten the health and safety of many Texans.”
Earlier this week, Abbott issued a waiver to local governments to move their May 2 elections to November 3, while encouraging them all to do so.
The Republican Party of Texas has also said it will move its May convention to July due to the pandemic, upon approval from the State Republican Executive Committee.
The proclamation from Abbott can be read here.
