Louisiana has postponed the April 4 election that includes the presidential primary and municipal ballots with mayors' races and other local propositions in response to the coronavirus crisis, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced Friday.

The new date for the elections is set for June 20.

Ardoin said he believes Louisiana is the first state to postpone an election since the crisis began.

"The decision was made out of an abundance of caution," Ardoin said during a press conference. "We will continue to evaluate the situation in the lead up to the June election."

Gov. John Bel Edwards approved Ardoin's request through an executive order. Ardoin is a Republican. Edwards is the only Democratic governor in the Deep South.

Ardoin said he also consulted with House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, and other legislative leaders Thursday and informed all parish clerks of court and registrars of voters of the decision Friday morning.

"All were in complete agreement ... and all expressed relief," Ardoin said.

Ardoin said more than 30 polling locations are located in nursing homes or senior facilities housing the most at-risk population.

More than half of the state's election day commissioners are 65 and older.

Ardoin said it's "pretty impossible" to expand mail balloting by June 20, though "every option is on the table."

Reaction beyond Louisiana's borders were mixed.

Democratic presidential primary front-runner Joe Biden's campaign was critical.

"As election officials working with public health officials are demonstrating throughout the country, our elections can be conducted safely in consultation with public health officials," said Biden's deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield in a statement.

"If voters are feeling healthy, not exhibiting symptoms, and don’t believe they've been exposed to COVID-19, please vote on Tuesday," she said, referring to other elections. "If voters are members of an at-risk population, exhibiting symptoms, or have been exposed to a diagnosed case of COVID-19, we encourage them to explore absentee ballots and vote by mail options."

Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Karen Carter Peterson issued the following statement:

"We want to ensure every Louisianian has the chance to make their voice heard in this election," she said. "The Louisiana Democratic Party is committed to working with our governor, secretary of state and the Democratic National Committee. We are hopeful the Democratic National Committee will work with us to revise our Delegate Selection Plan to make sure our state is fully represented in this year's nominating contest. Louisiana Democrats are committed to preserving the health of our neighbors while ensuring the voices of hundreds of thousands of Louisianians are heard.”