No American should have to choose between participating in our democracy and keeping themselves safe. In the next coronavirus relief package, I’m fighting for a plan to protect the health and safety of voters and strengthen our democracy for the long haul.
As federal, state, and local governments rightfully issue stay-at-home orders and encourage residents to practice social distancing to combat the virus, large-scale, in-person voting on election day could present serious risks to public health.
We must ensure that Americans can register to vote safely and easily. States must prevent voter purges and restore any voter whose name has been removed from the rolls since the pandemic began. Online and same-day registration should also be made available for everyone.
Next, we need to make the process of casting a ballot easier and more accessible. States should mail every registered voter a ballot with pre-paid postage and waive requirements that undermine social distancing guidelines.
While badly needed, these reforms will put additional stress on the already teetering United States Postal Service. Congress needs to act swiftly to shore up USPS so that as many Americans as possible can vote from home.
States must also enhance the safety of in-person voting, as many voters may face greater obstacles to voting from home. All states should provide at least 30 days of early voting and extend voting hours to help prevent overcrowding and promote social distancing.
We must also protect the integrity of our elections during this time of crisis by countering disinformation and bolstering election security. Congress must provide states with funding to guard against foreign threats, and voters should be able to track their ballot at every step.
Finally, we must provide states with the resources they need to administer the vote and to keep poll workers safe. That means at least $4 billion for election administration, conditioned on states adopting specific measures that will protect voters and reduce barriers to voting.
Our government needs to act immediately to ensure elections can proceed safely, securely, and on-time. But Donald Trump and right-wing Republicans are already using the crisis to disenfranchise millions.
The task of protecting our democracy has never been more vital. Congress must do its part—and governors and state officials must also step up to protect our elections. Join our fight to make sure every American can vote safely in November:
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