Judge restores New York Democratic presidential primary
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Democratic presidential primary must take place June 23 because canceling it would be unconstitutional and would deprive withdrawn presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Andrew Yang of proper representation at the Democratic convention, a judge ruled Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in Manhattan ruled after lawyers for Sanders and Yang argued Monday that the withdrawn candidates otherwise would be harmed irreparably.
The judge said there was enough time before the primary to plan how to carry it out safely. She acknowledged that the reason it was canceled — to prevent the spread of COVID-19 — was an important state interest but said she was unconvinced it justified infringing rights, especially since every voter can use an absentee ballot. She noted that no other state had canceled its primary.