"By nearly every metric, the COVID-19 outbreak is having a more widespread impact on New York than any other state. Our response and recovery is likely to be a prolonged effort.

With that in mind, I urge Gov. Cuomo to move the April 28 Primary and Special Elections to a later date, such as the June 23 Primary date. Pushing these elections to a later date would allow for a more orderly and reliable process, to a time when, hopefully, our citizens are out of harm's way.

The COVID-19 crisis is not a short-term situation. The cancellation of events, requirements that limit public gatherings and measures that encourage people to stay at home are critical components to containing the spread of the disease. With a little more than a month before April 28, setting a new date would be another necessary precaution and completely appropriate during these unprecedented times."