Voting is the foundation of our democracy.

And no one should have to choose between protecting their health and making their voice heard.

But with the coronavirus crisis making it dangerous to gather in public places, wait in long lines, and touch shared surfaces like voting machines, we need a plan to make sure Americans can vote safely in a pandemic.

That's why today, I'm outlining simple steps that Congress needs to take in its next coronavirus relief package to protect the health and safety of America's voters. Here are a few of them:

- Universal vote by mail in every state
- Online and same-day voter registration so that everyone can make their voice heard
- At least 30 days of early voting and extended voting hours to enhance the safety of in-person voting
- Guarantee that every poll worker is compensated -- and receives hazard pay -- for their work
- Provide at least $4 billion for state and local governments to administer elections and to keep poll workers safe in the next coronavirus relief package

There's more, but it all comes down to this: During a pandemic, we need voters to stay safe, but not be silenced. And our leaders -- from Congress to governors and state officials -- need to act now to lay the groundwork for safe and secure elections in November.

Over the coming weeks, we'll be calling on governors, local officials, and the federal government to make sure every American can safely exercise their right to vote. Add your name to join the fight and get more updates on how you can take action.

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We've already seen Republicans use the crisis to accelerate an undemocratic power grab and disenfranchise millions.

Last week, Donald Trump claimed that if we made it easier for more people to vote, "you'd never have a Republican elected in this country again."

And he's just the latest in a string of right-wing politicians who've embraced efforts to make it harder for people to vote -- by closing polling places, purging millions of voters from voting rolls, limiting early voting, and passing restrictive voter identification laws.

But in times of crisis, when people's lives and livelihoods are on the line, it's more important than ever that elected representatives are held accountable. There's no room for partisanship when it comes to protecting the basic machinery of our democracy.

We need to make sure every voter can safely make their voice heard, including by taking these steps:

- Expand online voter registration so it's an option in every state, extend voter registration deadlines as much as practicable, and let any eligible voter register on Election Day.

- Make states provide at least 30 days of early voting to help reduce crowds and maintain access to safe, in-person voting.

- Mail every registered voter a ballot and a postage-paid return envelope. That way, they can safely fill it out at home, send it back in, and participate in our democracy.

- Ban states from purging voter rolls during this pandemic -- unless a voter has come forward and said they want to be removed, or unless there's objective evidence that their registration is out of date. And states must add voters' names back to the rolls if they've already been purged.

- Ensure equal access to the polls -- regardless of race or ethnicity, language, tribal citizenship, or ability. That includes ensuring sufficient and safe polling places on Election Day, providing accessible ballot machines for people with disabilities, expanding voting hours, and allowing people to vote with a sworn statement of identity instead of an ID.

- Provide no less than $4 billion in surge funding to states for election administration, compensate every poll worker (including providing hazard pay), and bolster election security.

By taking these steps -- and more -- we'll ensure elections can proceed safely, securely, and on time.

Congress needs to act, but governors and state officials must do their part, too -- and as a movement, we'll be calling on them to do just that.

I'll keep up the fight in Washington, but I can't do it alone -- we can only protect our democracy if we fight side by side.

Sign up now to say you're in this fight.

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Thanks for being a part of this,

Elizabeth


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