Democrat V.P. Presidential pick, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), on Thursday August 13th, introduced Legislation that would Authorize $5 Billion to Expand Voting Options and Improve the Safety and Accessibility of Polling Locations across the Country.
The Bill, dubbed the VoteSafe Act of 2020, would require that Every State have Early In-Person Voting Periods of at least 20 Days before the November General Election and Mandate that every State Allow No-Excuse Mail-In Absentee Ballots.
The Bill also:
- Provide Grants for States to improve the Safety, Efficiency, and Reliability of Polling Places.
- Funding to ensure that Elections are Accessible to Individuals with Disabilities.
- Funding to ensure Adequate Protections for Language Minority Voters.
- Funding to ensure Voting Access for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Rural Voters.
- Implementing and Promoting Curbside Voting.
- Implementing and Meeting a Maximum Wait-Time Standard or Publishing Current Wait Times at Each Poll Site.
- Allowing Voters to make Advance Reservations at their Polling Places.
- Providing for the Training and Recruitment of Poll Workers.
- Improving Access to Voter Registration.
In Announcing the Proposal, Harris cited the Various Concerns that have Emerged as some States hold Elections amid the Outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus.
“The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the obstacles many already face when voting. Even before the pandemic, Native Americans, Black and Latinx voters, and voters with disabilities too often faced long lines, inaccessible voting locations, and outright hostility by election officials. I’m proud to announce the VoteSafe Act because the American people deserve a comprehensive solution to ensure that voting is safe and accessible.", Harris said in a Statement.
President Trump, last month, Signed a Coronavirus Stimulus Package that included $400 Million to help States conduct Elections during the Pandemic. The Legislation did Not Include any Requirements for how States could use the Funding.
But some Advocates have argued the Funds don't go Far Enough in Addressing Election Safety concerns. Former Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate, Stacey Abrams (D) and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D), on Wednesday called for Passing Legislation to provide States $4 Billion to Help them Move toward Mail-in-Voting.
Discussions surrounding the Expansion of Mail-in-Voting have Escalated in recent weeks, as some Lawmakers Voice Fears about Forcing Voters to Crowd into Polling Places.
In Wisconsin, Voters were Forced to Cast Ballots In Person after the Supreme Court Ruled 5-4 that No Absentee Ballots sent in after Election Day would be Counted.
Five States: Colorado; Hawaii; Oregon; Utah; and Washington, already hold Elections Entirely-by-Mail.
29 States and Washington, D.C., give Voters the Mail-In Option.
Currently, Voting-by-Mail is Only available in certain Circumstances in the other 16 States. Some have Waived this and Accepts the Fear of the Virus as an Excuse.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
No comments:
Post a Comment