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To: U.S. Congress

No more election disasters -- fund our democracy

Election officials in Kentucky reduced the number of polling places for the state’s primary from 3,700 to less than 200 -- leading to long waits at some sites and confusion about where and how to vote. And thousands of voters in New York didn’t get their absentee ballots in time, meaning they had to choose between risking their health or giving up their vote.

Congress can’t let this happen again in November. Our representatives must allocate the full $4 billion that experts say states need to hold successful elections this fall.

Why is this important?

Wisconsin, Georgia, and now Kentucky and New York: it’s clear that the COVID-19 crisis is having a major impact on our elections -- and unless Congress responds, these states’ primaries will be a preview of what’s to come in November.

Citing health concerns, Kentucky’s election officials shut down polling sites across the state -- bringing the total from just 3,700 to 170. That meant some voters had to wait in line for hours, on top of figuring out where their new polling place was.

And at the same time, thousands of voters in New York didn’t get their absentee ballots delivered on time -- and voters experienced a host of issues at polling places across the state, too.

This is outrageous -- efficient in-person and mail-in voting are crucial to a successful election. And polling place shutdowns like those in Kentucky can especially disenfranchise people with disabilities, homeless voters, those navigating language barriers, and anyone who didn’t get their absentee ballot in time.

If Congress ignores these issues, we can be sure that they’ll happen again in November -- during one of the most consequential elections of our generation.

Experts say states need $4 billion to implement key election reforms to make sure voters can cast their ballot safely and efficiently this fall. Congress has allocated $400 million so far, which is a good start -- but now, our representatives must finish the job.

If you agree that nobody should have to choose between their health or their right to vote, tell Congress to include ample funding for our elections in the next COVID-19 response package.

Partner

Updates

2020-07-07 08:43:32 -0400

500 signatures reached

2020-06-24 16:03:42 -0400

100 signatures reached

2020-06-24 15:38:20 -0400

50 signatures reached

2020-06-24 15:29:39 -0400

25 signatures reached

2020-06-24 15:26:28 -0400

10 signatures reached