Wisconsin Republicans reject governor's call to delay Tuesday's primary and vote by mail

FILE PHOTO: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Evers speaks at an election eve rally in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. November 5, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford

(Reuters) - Republican legislative leaders in Wisconsin rejected Democratic Governor Tony Evers' call on Friday to cancel in-person voting and delay next week's presidential primary, saying it must proceed despite fears about the coronavirus pandemic.

Evers, who had been criticized for not seeking a delay earlier, called for a special session of the legislature to make Tuesday's primary an all-mail election and extend the time to return ballots until late May.