s the deadly coronavirus pandemic spread across the U.S., Democratic primary elections in many states have been delayed, owing to public health officials’ urging Americans to maintain social distance. But when Tony Evers, the Democratic governor of Wisconsin, issued an executive order to postpone the primary and a contest for a Supreme Court seat and other local offices until June 9, the Republican-controlled legislature and Republican-dominated State Supreme Court opposed the move. After the U.S. Supreme Court Republican majority blocked an extension for absentee voting, state residents were forced to risk COVID-19 exposure while waiting in long lines in a small number of understaffed polling places. Democrats charged that Republicans had exploited the pandemic for political advantage, given that a smaller voter turnout usually favors GOP candidates.

The spring election battle in Wisconsin foreshadows the tough choices ahead for state governments as they navigate the coronavirus pandemic to ensure primaries and this November’s presidential election, go forward with wide participation. Legislators including Rep. Mark Pocan, Democrat of Wisconsin and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, along with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are urging legislation to enact a national vote-by-mail requirement in all 50 states for every federal election in 2020.

Between The Lines’ Scott Harris spoke with Greg Palast, well known for his investigative reports for BBC television, Rolling Stone and The Guardian focusing on massive voter purges that result in voter disenfranchisement. Here, he cautions against the rush to mail-in ballots without first recognizing the hazards and the need to implement safeguards to ensure every vote counts in this November’s critical presidential election.