Idaho’s secretary of state is asking the governor to delay the state’s primary election by nearly a month because of coronavirus concerns.

In an open letter to Gov. Brad Little on Friday, Secretary of State Lawerence Denney asked for an order that would set the primary election for no earlier than June 16, instead of its current date of May 19.

“A one-month delay in the election would provide the needed time to inform voters, parties, candidates and others about the changes in this process,” Denney said.

He said even if the delay is granted, he plans to encourage as many voters as possible to cast absentee ballots this summer instead of physically going to the polls. The secretary of state’s office will allow all registered voters with an official state identification card to request an absentee ballot online.

Some context: The new request is in regards to the primary election for state and local offices, and a delay would not affect the results of the Idaho presidential primary that was run on March 10.