PFAW Member,
We’ve known for a long time that this year’s election was going to be a historic one. Some reports estimate that as many as two-thirds of eligible voters may cast a ballot this November, which would be the highest turnout for a presidential election in over one hundred years.1
But with the current instability created by the coronavirus pandemic, no one knows exactly how that’s going to affect voters’ access to the ballot in the upcoming presidential election – which is why we need to start preparing today.
While coronavirus continues to spread, seven states have postponed their Democratic primaries so far, and voter turnout plummeted in Illinois.2 The coronavirus pandemic has the potential to disrupt our most valuable democratic institution.
But there’s hope that with additional planning voter turnout could still surge in November! In Florida and Arizona, voter turnout for the Democratic primary actually increased, thanks to strong vote-by-mail programs.3 Investing in similar offsite voting programs could help save our democracy.
It’s imperative that every state takes steps to prepare so that no registered person is prevented from casting their vote. In addition to expanding vote-by-mail and early voting and increasing polling place safety, state election officials need to beef up election security protocols and create an election day emergency preparedness plan. We need to make sure that the 2020 election goes ahead no matter what.
The 2018 midterms saw the highest turnout rate for a midterm election in over four decades. We must ensure that this high level of engagement in our democracy continues, and states need to act NOW to make that happen.
In solidarity,
- Sarah, Digital Campaigns Associate
[1] “Brace for a Voter-Turnout Tsunami.” The Atlantic, 06/13/2019.
[2] “Coronavirus is disrupting the 2020 election. Here are the states that have postponed their primaries.” CNBC, 03/24/20.
[3] “The coronavirus effect: How much did it hurt Democratic primary turnout?.” USA Today, 03/19/20.
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