Covid-19 Update: Maryland Plans Write-In Vote For Special Election

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced a vote-by-mail for Balitmore's 7th District special election on April 28 for Rep. Elijah Cummings' former seat in the wake of coronavirus fears. The primary election is moved to June 2. Cummings filled the congressional district seat from 1996 until his death in October 2019.

The state's previous plan was to hold both the special election and primary on April 28.

Maryland is in a “state of emergency” due to the coronavirus. The state has 57 confirmed cases.

The majority-minority district is gerrymandered to represents parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County. Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume is running against Republican Kimberly Klacik in the special election.

The June 2 primary election will have Democrats and Republicans squaring off for contests to run in Novermber's general election. The winner of the 7th District special election must also run in the primary if he/she wants to remain in office next year.

Candidates on the June ballot include Mfume, state Sen. Jill P. Carter and Cummings’ widow, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings. Carter is a strong advocate of Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Maryland is the fifth state to postpone its primary due to the virus. Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana and Ohio also postponed their primaries.

“I have two main priorities — keeping Marylanders safe and protecting their constitutional right to vote,” Hogan said at a news conference in Annapolis today. “Free and fair elections are the very foundation of American democracy and while there are many valid reasons for unease and uncertainty right now, ensuring that the voices of Maryland citizens are heard shouldn’t be one of them.”

Hogan also said the majority of coronavirus cases now are from community transmission.