As the U.S. tightens measures to contain COVID-19, several states are deciding what to do about their primaries. 

Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland and Ohio have delayed their primaries, while Arizona, Florida and Illinois held their primaries on Tuesday, as scheduled. 

In Florida, election officials had to open emergency polling stations after several locations were forced to close because of COVID-19. 

Election officials also had to train new poll workers to fill-in. 

According to the Chicago Tribune, Illinois is facing a low voter turnout for its primary. 

Election officials faced issues including relocated polling stations and training new election judges after many dropped out. 

The Chicago Tribune also reports Chicago broke records in vote-by-mail applications for early primary voting. 

Dan Williams reported that a number of polling stations in Illinois had struggled to cope with staff shortages, with concerns the vote contradicts the guidelines about "social distancing."

But organizers said they had been doing all they can to provide a safe place for voters. Evanston's Northminster Presbyterian Church was one of the polling stations.

Rev. Michael Kirby, a senior pastor at the church said: "We consider voting to be a stewardship of our citizenship. And we wanted to make it possible for people to come and do that. If they chose to do so."

Despite concerns about COVID-19, it appears that for many, the importance of voting, and having a say in the Democratic presidential nomination, remain paramount.

Janet from Chicago said: "It has always been important to me to vote. It is my civic duty. And it is an extremely important time right now for everyone to get out and vote."

That view is echoed by Matt, also a resident of Chicago: "I want to let it be known that who I want to be running for the Democratic Party who I think is most electable. And yeah, I have to get out and do it. No matter what."

In recent days, Illinois has closed bars and restaurants as well as schools and colleges.

(Dan Williams also contributed to the story.)