Virus fears expected to reduce France voter turnout

France is holding nationwide elections Sunday to choose all of its mayors and other local leaders, despite a crackdown on public gatherings because of the new virus.

Polling stations opened just as a drastic new order came into effect shutting down all of France's restaurants, museums, and most stores to stem the spreading coronavirus.

The country has some 4,500 cases, including 91 people who have died.

President Emmanuel Macron decided against delaying the elections amid concerns that would be undemocratic, but the virus is expected to sharply reduce turnout.

The government ordered unprecedented sanitary measures at polling stations.

Organizers are under orders to allow a one-meter (yard) gap between people in lines, and to provide soap or hydroalcoholic gel and disinfectant wipes for voting machines.

Voters were told to bring their own pens to sign the voting register.

Associated Press reporters observed uneven application of the rules in different polling stations.

Sunday's elections are the first round of a two-round election for leadership of all 35,000 French communes, some of only a few dozen inhabitants.

Voters will choose among lists of candidates running for mayor and town council seats.

If no list gets the absolute majority in the first round, all lists that receive more than 10% of votes will qualify for the second round, currently scheduled for March 22.

While most voters cast ballots based on local considerations, the elections are an important gauge of public sentiment ahead of the 2022 presidential election.