Updated at 7:30 p.m. with the postponement of the May 26 runoff.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday postponed the May 26 primary runoff election to July 14, citing concerns about the coronavirus.

The primary runoff will now take place the same day as the special election for Texas State Senate District 14. Early voting will begin Monday, July 6.

In his proclamation, Abbott said holding the election in May would go against the social distancing needed to slow the spread of the coronavirus and could put voters and election workers at risk.

“Holding the runoff in May would cause the congregation of large gatherings of people in confined spaces and cause numerous election workers to come into close proximity with others,” he said. “This would threaten the health and safety of many Texans.”

The announcement came just after after the Texas Democratic Party filed a lawsuit Friday demanding that all voters who believe their health is in danger under the threat of COVID-19 be allowed to vote by mail.

“We have had conversations with election administrators, local county officials, state legislators and Texas Republicans because protecting our democracy is incredibly important," Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said in a prepared statement. “Conversations with Texas Republicans fell apart last night because Republicans have no plan.

“This lawsuit will allow any person who does not want to risk their health or that of their family’s during this coronavirus pandemic to vote by mail," he said. “No Texan should have to worry about risking their health in order to exercise their right to vote."

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had hinted earlier in the day at postponing the contest until July.

“We’re pushing off the May 26 runoff, we are pushing that to July,” he told D-FW radio host Mark Davis.

Earlier this week, Abbott suspended election rules to let Texas cities and school districts postpone their local elections from May 2 to Nov. 3.

Usually, only voters over age 65, those with disabilities or those who will be out of the county on Election Day can vote by mail.

In the runoff election, voters are choosing party nominees in a slew of other local races, as well as the Democrat who will challenge Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

M.J. Hegar, who came out on top in the March primary, praised the move but also called on Abbott and officials to work with nonpartisan groups to expand access to voting by mail, extend early voting and to enact no-excuse absentee voting.

“I am pleased that the Governor is following the advice of public health officials in moving the runoff election back, but we must smartly use this time to ensure a smooth and safe election in both the runoff and general election in November,” she said in a prepared statement. “No Texan should have to choose between exercising their constitutional right to vote or putting public health in danger.”

Dallas state Sen. Royce West, who will face off with Hegar after narrowly beating out Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez in March, said it was a “prudent, practical measure to postpone the election” during the outbreak, but he also called for expanding mail-in voting.

“I will carefully monitor the current litigation concerning vote by mail, and my campaign will take whatever steps we believe are necessary to ensure Texans can easily exercise their franchise during this difficult time,” he said in a prepared statement. “This is a right which I have fought to protect for 27 years in the Texas Senate, and it is vital, with changes in the election, we ensure those rights are protected.”

Among the most hotly contested runoff elections in North Texas is the Democratic race for the state's 24th Congressional District.

Retired Air Force Col. Kim Olson and former Carrollton-Farmers Branch school board member Candace Valenzuela advanced from the March 3 primary that featured four other candidates. Democrats see the suburban Dallas seat as one of their best chances to expand their lead in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Both candidates have largely moved their campaign online.

On Friday, Olson appeared pleased with the Republican governor's decision.

"We are glad Gov. Abbott is taking the appropriate precautions," she said in a statement. "People should not be forced to choose between participating in our democracy and their health. Our campaign will continue working hard to reach out and inform TX-24 voters and build on the momentum we gained from our first place primary win."

Meanwhile, Valenzuela called on the state to expand mail ballots.

“I urge Texas state officials to expand vote-by-mail eligibility to include all registered voters and proactively mail all eligible registered voters a ballot with return postage paid for,” ​Valenzuela said in a statement​. “This is the only way to ensure that our right to vote, a sacred democratic right, is protected while ensuring the health of all Texans.”

The runoff would also come at the same time as the beginning of the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, if that gathering is held as scheduled.

Staff writer Nic Garcia contributed to this report.