April Election, 2020 DNC Impacted By Coronavirus, Top Dems Say

MILWAUKEE, WI — Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden — considered the top two Democratic candidates remaining in presidential primary — say the coronavirus public health emergency is having an impact on the April 7 election in Wisconsin and the upcoming 2020 Democratic National Convention, which is still scheduled for mid-July in Milwaukee.

DNC officials say they're considering contingency plans for the 2020 DNC, and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said he's staunchly in favor of keeping the April 7 presidential primary and statewide general election on-track despite critical shortages of poll workers, and the ongoing public health risks.

When MSNBC talk show host Brian Williams asked Biden whether he envisions seeing Democratic party faithful packing Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum for a week in July for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, amid the current coronavirus public health emergency, Biden said he was doubtful.

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"It's hard to envision that," he said. "We should listen to the scientists."

Biden said the U.S. was able to have elections, and conventions during wartime because authorities could guarantee public safety. "The fact is, it may have to be different," he said of the 2020 DNC.

Meanwhile, Sanders is calling on Wisconsin leadership to postpone the April 7 election.

"People should not be forced to put their lives on the line to vote, which is why 15 states are now following the advice of public health experts and delaying their elections," Bernie Sanders said in a statement. "We urge Wisconsin to join them. The state should delay Tuesday's vote, extend early voting and work to move entirely to vote-by-mail."

Sanders' statement comes on the heels of Evers saying he's going to call out the National Guard to shore up critical shortages of poll workers across the state.

Evers said he's calling out the National Guard to staff polling places across the state after election officials said nearly 60 percent of Wisconsin municipalities have an urgent shortage of poll workers.

Many jurisdictions have "dramatically consolidated polling places," state official said. According to the Wisconsin Election Commission, there are 111 communities that do not have the ability to staff even one polling place on April 7. Wisconsin local election officials say they're about 7,000 poll workers short for election day.

By The Numbers

All data has been compiled by the Wisconsin Election Commission. This data was compiled when officials surveyed local municipalities about their capabilities on election day, April 7.

Critical: jurisdictions cannot staff even one polling place.

671 Poll Worker Shortage
111 Number of Jurisdictions

Serious: jurisdiction is unable to staff all desired polling places.

2,713 Poll Worker Shortage
126 Number of Jurisdictions

Concerning: jurisdiction has fewer staff than needed for efficient operations.

3,469 Poll Worker Shortage
542 Number of Jurisdictions

Stable: jurisdiction has enough poll workers to function efficiently.

86 Poll Worker Shortage
541 Number of Jurisdictions

Did not report a status.

n/a Poll Worker Shortage
530 Number of Jurisdictions