CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The speaker of the New Hampshire House weighed in on whether masks should be required at President Donald Trump’s upcoming rally, and a coalition of disability organizations sued the state over its absentee ballot system for the fall elections.

Coronavirus developments Wednesday in New Hamsphire:

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TRUMP RALLY

House Speaker Steve Shurtleff asked the governor Wednesday to use his “close relationship” with President Donald Trump to ensure that attendees at the president’s Saturday rally wear face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Trump is holding a campaign rally at Portsmouth Regional Airport, where masks will be handed out but not required to be worn.

“You have often touted your work with the White House and your close relationship with President Trump and his administration. I ask you to use that relationship now to put Granite Staters first and have the president’s campaign practice basic safety standards and require masks on Saturday,” Shurtleff wrote in a letter to Sununu.

Shurtleff, D-Concord, has not publicly proposed mask requirements for either the general public or for large gatherings. He did require state representatives to wear masks or face shields during two recent House sessions held at the University of New Hampshire ice arena, with a separate area set aside for those who chose not to comply.

Sununu, a Republican, has declined to mandate mask use beyond workers who interact with the public. He said Tuesday he plans to greet Trump at the airport but will not attend the rally.

“I’ll be wearing my mask,” he said. “Whether it’s a mandate or not, we want people to understand it’s important that they do their best to maintain physical distancing and wear a mask.”

Though it will be too late for Saturday’s event, Portsmouth City Councilor Cliff Lazenby said Wednesday he plans to ask councilors on Monday to send a letter to Sununu urging him to order that masks be worn at large gatherings.

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ABSENTEE VOTING LAWSUIT

A lawsuit filed against New Hampshire’s secretary of state alleges that the state’s absentee ballot system will force blind voters and those with other disabilities to sacrifice their privacy, safety or potentially both during the coronavirus pandemic.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday by Disabilities Rights Center-New Hampshire seeks to force the state to implement an accessible, electronic absentee voting system so blind voters and others don’t have to give up privacy by having others mark their ballots at home or risk their health by voting in person on special machines.

Secretary of State William Gardner said Wednesday he has been working with experts to explore possible solutions to ensure voting is both private and secure.

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THE NUMBERS

As of Tuesday, 5,952 people in New Hampshire had tested positive for the virus, an increase of 20 from the previous day. Two new deaths were announced, bringing the total to 386.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause more severe illness and can lead to death.

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