Bucks County holds special election in spite of coronavirus concerns

BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. - A judge late Monday night rejected an attempt to delay a special election to fill a vacant seat in Pennsylvania's House of Representatives from Bucks County over concerns that it would risk public health as coronavirus spreads.

Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Trauger said in his order that he could find no legal authority to allow the postponement.

Trauber, however, ordered the county elections board to continue safety precautions, such as providing hand sanitizer, wipes, rubber gloves, masks and signage reminding voters of social distancing recommendations.

Officials in Bucks County on Monday had sought an order to postpone the special election there.

Under pressure from Democrats to delay it for public health reasons, House Speaker Mike Turzai, a Republican whose office is charged with scheduling special elections, had refused.

The seat is open because Gene DiGirolamo, a Republican, resigned after winning a county council seat last November.

The House seat is in politically moderate southern Bucks County around Bensalem, just north of Philadelphia, and Democrats view it as a pickup opportunity.

Meanwhile, two other special elections to fill vacancies in the House were expected to go forward as scheduled Tuesday for seats based in Mercer and Westmoreland counties.

The map below illustrates where confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus exist across the world. See mobile version here.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.