AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) The Maine Senate convened for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic to vote on nominees to a state ethics commission.

The special session was held on Monday in the House chamber to allow for social distancing.

State senators voted to approve the nominees to the commission, which oversees compliance with some election laws and ethics investigations in the legislature.

The Portland Press Herald reports that Maine’s legislature has not reconvened since the outbreak of the pandemic because of opposition from Republican lawmakers. But the president of the senate can convene a special session unilaterally to vote on gubernatorial nominees.