PROTECT THE 2020 ELECTION WITH VOTE-BY-MAIL
ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN
The 2020 elections may be the most crucial for our democracy and, because of the pandemic, the most dangerous. Thank you for your support for longstanding efforts to bring vote-by-mail nationwide. I also support your Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act. I ask that you allow mailed ballots for all voters, not just those who ask for it. Please ensure funding for vote-by-mail is in Congress’s pandemic response bill.
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY
The 2020 elections may be the most crucial for our democracy and, because of the pandemic, the most dangerous. Thank you for supporting the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act. I ask that you fight for mailed ballots for all voters, not just those who ask for it. Please ensure funding for vote-by-mail is in Congress’s pandemic response bill.
CALL SENATOR MERKLEY
CALL SENATOR WYDEN
ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS
Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here.
SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
The 2020 elections may be the most crucial for our democracy and, because of the pandemic, the most dangerous. Please support the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act. I ask that you fight for mailed ballots for all voters, not just those who ask for it. Please ensure funding for vote-by-mail is in Congress’s pandemic response bill.
CALL SUZANNE BONAMICI (OR-01)
CALL GREG WALDEN (OR-02)
CALL BLUMENAUER (OR-03)
CALL PETER DEFAZIO (OR-04)
CALL KURT SCHRADER (OR-05)
ACTION THREE: HELP REGISTER VOTERS FROM HOME
Organizing for the 2020 Election is going VIRTUAL!
- Find virtual events at http://swingleft.org/
- Host a virtual letter-writing party! Get started here: http://swingleft.org/p/virtual-letter-writing-party
- Call voters in Wisconsin about their April 7th election. Sign up for training and call info here. http://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/263614/
Stay tuned — more activities to come!
BACKGROUND:
On Friday Congress passed an emergency coronavirus response package. It’s a beginning but it has gaps that leave us all vulnerable.
We have focused on some of these that must be addressed in legislation currently working through Congress. Today, our focus is on the urgency of vote–by–mail (VBM):
The pandemic threatens to massively disrupt the 2020 presidential elections.
- Voters, especially the elderly, may choose not to crowd into polling places.
- Poll workers may be just as reluctant to work.
- A large number of polling places are likely to be relocated, especially those in nursing homes.
Nevertheless, crises haven’t stopped elections. Americans have voted even during wars. In a crisis, leadership must be legitimate and have a mandate from voters.
Senators Ron Wyden and Amy Klobuchar have proposed the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act. It would:
- Expand vote by mail to all states.
- Allow for no-excuse absentee voting for anyone requesting an absentee ballot.
- Lengthen early voting perhaps by 20 days to reduce crowding.
These fixes should be permanent. And bipartisan since a core Republican constituency are voters over 65 who are 24% of all voters.
Congress must provide VBM funding so that states can start building VBM infrastructure now.
SOURCES:
Washington Post, March 24, 2020: “The coronavirus’s threat to democracy itself” https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/24/coronaviruss-threat-democracy-itself/
New York Times, March 21, 2020: “The 2020 Election Won’t Look Like Any We’ve Seen Before” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/21/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-vote-mail.html
Vox, March 20, 2020: “How to make sure everyone can vote during the coronavirus pandemic” https://www.vox.com/2020/3/20/21185184/vote-by-mail-coronavirus-pandemic-elections
NPR, March 24, 2020: “As Coronavirus Delays Primary Season, States Weigh Expanding Absentee Voting” https://www.npr.org/2020/03/24/820232540/as-coronavirus-delays-primary-season-states-weigh-expanding-absentee-voting
New York Times, March 14, 2020: “Could the 2020 Election Be Postponed? Only With Great Difficulty. Here’s Why.” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/us/politics/election-postponed-canceled.html
Brookings, March 23, 2020: “Voting in a time of national emergency” https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2020/03/23/voting-in-a-time-of-national-emergency/
Brennan Center for Justice: “How to Protect the 2020 Vote from the Coronavirus” https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/how-protect-2020-vote-coronavirus
Sen. Ron Wyden, March 11, 2020: “Wyden Introduces Bill to Protect Voters and Elections Against COVID-19 Risks by Mandating Emergency Vote-By-Mail” https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-introduces-bill-to-protect-voters-and-elections-against-covid-19-risks-by-mandating-emergency-vote-by-mail
