John,

According to a new Pew Research poll, 66% of Americans are uncomfortable with going to a polling place to vote during the coronavirus outbreak.

This public health crisis poses an unprecedented challenge to our nation’s ability to hold safe and secure elections. The American people shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their right to vote.

The latest coronavirus relief bill included $400 million for state election infrastructure — a downpayment on the amount needed to get the job done. In response to this news, Jennifer Rubin, a conservative opinion writer at the Washington Post, wrote:

“The obvious solution is widespread voting by mail and early voting (so that voters can be spaced out and avoid close proximity to others) in the event coronavirus remains a health threat.”  

Rubin’s piece, which quotes Issue One’s statement on the stimulus package, is important because it makes clear that voting reform isn’t a partisan issue. It doesn’t help one party or another — it helps all Americans and our democracy. It also makes a strong case for the fact that we need to support states in implementing measures like vote-by-mail and early voting because it will be costly to put in place — and we have to get started now to be ready in November.

Issue One is working hard to win more federal funding for states to prepare for the 2020 election cycle. We must make sure that states get the resources they need — and we have to act quickly. The American people are counting on it.

Stay safe,

Nick Penniman
Founder and CEO, Issue One