Changing the date of the state's primary election from April 28 to June 2 is moving forward, but problems may lie elsewhere, too.

“I think we've done something very good here today,” said Rep. Garth Everett, R-84th, on the House floor Wednesday.

The measure to move the primary passed both chambers of the Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday, and Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, said he will sign it.

On Wednesday the state House of Representatives approved both State Bill 422 and its Amendment 4879, which would alter the Pennsylvania Elections Code and change the date of the upcoming primary.

“By being in position for final legislative approval, my bill served as a way to fast-track the necessary statutory changes to provide for the well-being of voters and local poll workers during the upcoming primary election and I certainly support those efforts,” said Sen. Elder Vogel Jr., the bill's primary sponsor.

In its original state, the bill established an Election Law Advisory Board under the Department of State to study and make recommendations for future elections.

Membership includes Senate and House leaders, disability and voting rights advocates and county commissioners or county election officials.

“My bill will improve the electoral system through the Election Law Advisory Board, while addressing current public health and safety concerns as well,” he said.

The amendment was tailored to the coronavirus situation.

The amendment included emergency changes that moved this year's primary election to June 2. The amendment also allows for county election officials to use poll workers from any part of the county. So poll workers will not be restricted to work only in their district.

The changes also give counties the ability to consolidate or move polling places.

Shari Brewer, director of the Butler County Bureau of Elections, said the bill and its amendment gives the bureau more time and flexibility in the upcoming election, but the core problem remains.

“We have always had a shortage of poll workers,” she said. “Bottom line if we don't have poll workers, we can't open the polls.”

Brewer said many of their consistent poll workers are older, and many of their stand-ins also are older.

Brewer said she hopes the coronavirus pandemic will resolve in time for the election, but there's no guarantee and poll workers will need to be trained before election night.

“At this point, we can't train poll workers,” she said. “There are a lot of things we need to do to prepare for election day.”

Brewer said with an election slated for June 2, she would need to have poll workers trained in May, but if the social distancing continues into the month of May, it poses yet more obstacles for them moving forward.

Anyone interested in working the polls for the primary, especially younger individuals, should contact the bureau's office at 724-284-5308.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.