CHARLESTON — On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice announced that the West Virginia Primary will be moved 27 days to June 9, 2020. This action was made after bipartisan pressure was placed on the Governor to delay the primary due to the Chronavirus pandemic.
According to WV MetroNews, Senate President Mitch Carmichael (R) and House Minority Leader Tim Miley (D) both expressed their support of the delay.
Secretary of State Mac Warner questioned whether the Governor has the legal ability to officially move Election Day without legislative approval, but he expressed that this would be a reasonable course of action.
“Similarly, if the Governor determines the statute establishing election day is not a regulatory statute and thus is beyond his executive power to effectuate such an order, I am fully prepared to assist the Legislature at a special session during this time of emergency,” Warner stated.
It is believed that a special session will likely need to be summoned to officially move Election Day to the new recommended date, June 9.