Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said today there are no plans to postpone the March 31 primary runoff because of the coronavirus outbreak and there’s nothing in state law that would authorize that.

Officials in Louisiana postponed that state’s primary, which was scheduled for April.

“Our law does not allow that to happen, but it’s not under consideration today, either," Merrill said. “We’ve had one case that’s been introduced and that was today, of course.”

People who don’t want to go to a polling place because of the risk of exposure to the coronavirus should apply for an absentee ballot, Merrill said. Applications are available at the Secretary of State’s website and county offices.

The absentee ballot application requires voters to give a reason why they’re requesting an absentee ballot. None of the choices appears to be a perfect fit for a voter who didn’t want to go to the polls to avoid illness.

One allowed reason is for a “physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls.”

Merrill advised voters to check the box they thought most appropriate. He said nobody who applies for an absentee ballot for the runoff should be turned down.

“I don’t see anybody being denied the opportunity to vote absentee if they request a ballot between now and March 26, (the last day to apply)” Merrill said.

Merrill supports legislation that would give the governor the authority to postpone an election for up to 21 days. Lawmakers introduced bills in the House and Senate on Thursday. But there’s no chance of them passing before the March 31 runoff. Legislators are taking two weeks off for spring break and won’t return until that day.

Merrill said a similar bill was introduced last year but did not pass. He said he initiated the idea because of the possibility that a weather disaster could create the need to postpone an election.

“What I was thinking was flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, natural disasters, or events like that," Merrill said.

Merrill said his office has told probate judges and election officials to do what they can to limit the risk of spreading the virus at the polls.

“Wiping down voting machines and other equipment that is there at the polling site,” Merrill said. "Do that frequently throughout the day. Obviously, provide hand sanitizer at the entrance and the exits. Make sure that’s available throughout the day, of course.

“Clean the tables where people sit down to vote and the chairs with disinfectant spay on a regular basis throughout the day. Provide latex-free gloves for the poll workers as they accept the ID from the voter and do their due diligence in that area. Make sure they have identified other possible poll workers to be a part of election day in case someone becomes ill or in case someone decides they don’t want to be out in this environment.”