Coronavirus in the United States: many logistical challenges six months before the presidential election

Election official wears gloves to guard against virus during Democratic primary in The Villages, Florida, March 17, 2020. REUTERS / Yana Paskova

Text by: RFI Follow

In 6 months to the day, next November 3, the presidential election in the United States will be held. But can this vote be maintained when a second wave of the coronavirus epidemic could hit the country in the fall? To allow the Americans to elect their 46th president, the challenges to be met are immense and the political camps divided on the path to follow.

Publicity

Read more

Americans should not have to choose between their right to vote and their health,  " said Michèle Obama. In order to guarantee the health security of voters on November 3, the former first lady and the Democrats are waging a vast campaign to generalize postal voting.

However, this solution poses several challenges: sending specific ballots by post accompanied by a postage-paid envelope, acquiring machines capable of processing votes by mail, as well as hiring additional employees are all costs that would weigh heavy on the coffers of the States, in charge of the organization of the ballot. Not to mention the fact that the authorities are not aware of the postal addresses of a certain number of voters.

► Also listen: Covid-19: an American presidential campaign like no other

Donald Trump and the Republicans are adamantly against generalized postal voting, an option that they believe would facilitate fraud.

This rejection arouses distrust of Joe Biden. The Democratic candidate is convinced that Donald Trump will try to postpone the presidential election. But for that would require the agreement of Congress, unlikely with the current Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. According to the Constitution, and therefore in any case, the president's mandate will end on January 20.

Our selection on the coronavirus

Listen to our daily chronicle  Coronavirus info

The practical questions  :
→  What is known about the mode of contagion
→  disparities and inequalities in coronaviruses: what to remember
→  What outcomes for clinical trials?
→  A vaccine, the only solution to stem the pandemic?
→  How to make a mask and use it well

Our series  : "  The response, country by country  "

Each evening, find the State of the world and Africa facing the pandemic

See also the files of RFI Savoirs on Covid-19:
→  Birth of a pandemic
→  Everyday life put to the test
→  The history of epidemics
→  Science facing Covid-19
→  Geopolitical consequences

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Subscribe

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • United States
  • USA elections 2020
  • Coronavirus
  • Donald trump

On the same subject

Decryption

Covid-19: an American presidential campaign like no other

Coronavirus: United States First to Use Remdesivir

Coronavirus: in Sacramento, anti-containment wants to "reopen California"