Odds Say November Presidential Election Will Take Place as Scheduled
- The odds that the 2020 US Presidential election will go ahead as scheduled on Nov. 3rd have been set at -500
- Is it possible that the election could be postponed as coronavirus threatens the well-being of the entire population of the United States?
- Analysis on possible outcomes, as well as the odds and picks are right here
As coronavirus continues to spread, could it claim the 2020 US Presidential election as a victim?
While the postponement of an election is not out of the realm of possibility, oddsmakers doesn’t foresee such a drastic measure occurring.
The latest political prop wager focuses on whether voting for the Presidency will take place as scheduled on Nov. 3rd. The “yes” is heavily favored as the outcome at odds of -500.
Odds 2020 US Presidential Election Takes Place on Nov. 3rd
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | -500 |
| No | +300 |
Odds taken March 17th.
Those who opt to go with “no” will gain a line of +300 in this betting market.
Some Primaries Postponed
Tuesday’s Ohio primaries were called off late Monday because of action taken by Governor Mike DeWine. He cited the fact that the state couldn’t conduct in-person elections which would would meet the Center for Disease Control guidelines.
Originally, DeWine sought a judicial order to hold up the vote. That request was denied by a judge.
During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis, to conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at an unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 17, 2020
Later Monday, Ohio’s state health director declared a health emergency, ordering the polls to be closed. Early Tuesday, the Ohio Supreme Court allowed the state to postpone the vote.
Ohio joined Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland and Kentucky as states that also opted to delay primaries. However, Illinois, Florida and Arizona all chose to go ahead with Tuesday primary balloting.
Trump Not In Favor Of Postponing Elections
Asked about the possibility of postponing elections during a press briefing earlier this week, US President Donald Trump described such action as unnecessary.
The President called postponing an election, “a very tough thing to do.” At the same time, he added that he would leave such decisions regarding the postponement of primaries in the hands of each individual state.
President Can’t Postpone Election
Even if Trump wanted to bring a halt to, or delay the Nov. 3rd Presidential election, that choice is out of his hands. This applies even during a declaration of a national emergency.
Since lots of people have asked me:
No, Trump cannot use his executive powers, even in a national emergency, to delay the November 2020 election. Only Congress can set the date of the presidential election.
— Josh Douglas (@JoshuaADouglas) March 13, 2020
Only Congress holds the power to set election dates, and also to delay, postpone, or reschedule a Federal vote such as a Presidential election. In fact, in 1866 the US Supreme Court ruled that even in the case of martial law being declared, a President does not hold the power to halt an election or extend their term in the Oval Office.
US Presidential Election Will Go Ahead As Scheduled
There is precedent for US elections being postponed. On Sept. 11th, 2001, New York delayed its mayoral primaries following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. In 2006, New Orleans postponed local elections for two months in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Those weren’t Federal elections, though. That’s a whole different ball game.
While announcing that over a third of polling locations in Maricopa County, AZ will be closed, the Election Day Director says "I'm sorry, I can't do this." and walks off the podium. pic.twitter.com/9IDtgu1L4z
— The Convo Couch (@theconvocouch) March 14, 2020
Maryland is already announcing that the April 28th state election to find a successor to the late Elijah Cummings in the House of Representatives will go ahead as planned. The state will make the vote entirely a mail-in ballot if necessary to ensure its completion.
Absentee balloting by mail is already an option for voters in all US elections. If the coronavirus remains a health issue in November, that’s how Americans will go to the polls.
There will be a Presidential election on Nov. 3rd. Bet on it.
Pick: Yes (-500)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
