Right now, Americans across the country are being forced to choose between protecting their health or going to the polls to vote. The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) makes it crystal clear — the health and safety of American democracy depends on giving voters the option to vote by mail.

Sign this petition to your state election officials: Make vote-by-mail available to all voters.

A hallmark of our democracy is our right to vote for those who lead us. But when going to the polls during a deadly outbreak puts us and others at risk, this right is jeopardized. Americans should not have to choose. Vote-by-mail, instituted nationwide as quickly as possible, is the best way to protect the health of the American people and the health of American democracy.

Sign this petition and tell your state election officials that vote-by-mail is the safest option to safeguard America’s health and the democratic process.

These may be unprecedented times, but vote-by-mail measures are not unprecedented and have worked effectively in states that have implemented full or partial vote-by-mail options. Benefits include increases in voter participation, particularly for low propensity voters and significant decreases in election administrative costs. Evidence shows that down ballot candidates get a boost as well. When voters have more time to look up candidates (typically two weeks) they are more likely to vote for those who share their values—rather than leaving whole sections of the ballot blank. In other words, vote-by-mail increases civic engagement.

Four states—Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington—conduct all elections by mail, and others are moving in that direction. It's time to make this option available to every voter. With the critical general election still nine months away states have time to put in place measures that ensure that all voters can make their voices heard. Tell your elected official that this option is essential to preserve our democracy.

COVID-19 has changed the rules of the game and election officials must scramble to catch up. In these uneasy times, it's more important than ever that voters have the security to vote without putting themselves at risk. The quick implementation of vote-by-mail options for all voters is our only option.

Thanks for all you do,

Mike Tidwell
Executive Director
Chesapeake Climate Action Network