The Democratic Party of Hawaii on Friday canceled plans for walk-in voting for the party-run presidential primary on April 4 due to COVID-19.

Instead, the party will add another round of mailed ballots “which will allow all those who are registered to vote and enrolled” in the party by that date to vote.

Update: The mailing deadline and the actual day to announce the voting results are being worked out by the party, its contractor and the Democratic National Committee.

“While we regret the need to cancel the walk-in voting locations, health and safety comes first during this challenging time,” said Democratic Party of Hawaii Interim Chair Kate Stanley via press release. “This third round of mail ballots will accommodate those who were planning to vote on election day by giving them the opportunity to vote by mail.

3-year-old Beatrix Puakala Oliver seated on her dad Tom Oliver at District 23, Manoa Elementary School cafeteria. 26 march 2016.
Voting at Manoa Elementary School cafeteria in the March 2016 presidential primary for Democrats. This year the primary is being conducted solely by mail. Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Stanley added, “However, we encourage everyone with a ballot now to mail it back as soon as possible in case there are further disruptions.”

Individuals must be registered voters with the state and members of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and be 18-years-old by the general election on Nov. 3.

Click here to register with the state. And click here to register with the party.

Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders remain in the race, but the names of several candidates that have dropped out will be on the Hawaii ballot.

The party is also rescheduling its state convention, which was set for May 23-24, to the weekend of Sept. 5-6.

County conventions are also being postponed, canceled or conducting business by other means.

The Hawaii Republican Party will not be holding a primary contest. Donald Trump has already secured the delegates to be renominated.

Hawaii’s primary election, by the way, is Aug. 8, when races for state, county and congressional offices are on the ballot for all qualified parties. The general election is Nov. 3.

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