Pennsylvania has joined more than ten other states in postponing their Primary Elections in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Pennsylvania Primary Election will now take place on Tuesday, June 2, five weeks later than the original date of April 28.

The measure passed both the Republican-controlled State House and State Senate on March 25.

In the Primary Election, Pennsylvania voters will have a chance to select the nominees for the U.S. presidential race, the races for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as various State House and State Senate contests.

State Senator Tom Killion (R-Chester and Delaware) joined county officials in southeastern Pennsylvania in calling for the delay of the Primary Election. 

“COVID-19 is an unprecedented public health crisis,” said Killion. “Delaying our primary date… is the prudent thing to do to protect the health of voters, election workers and the integrity of our democracy.”

County Commissioners in Chester, Bucks, and Montgomery counties, the Delaware County Council and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney all formally requested the primary election be moved, with June 23 suggested as the potential date. Ultimately, the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders decided on moving the primary to Tuesday, June 2.

Wolf and state lawmakers already approved legislation giving every voter the ability to mail in a ballot.