Dozens of progressive organizations call on Congress to fund vote-by-mail efforts

More than 50 progressive organizations signed an open letter Monday calling on Congress to appropriate $4 billion to states to boost mail-in voting efforts in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The groups — which were led by Stand Up America and included Greenpeace USA, Planned Parenthood, and the Sierra Club — strongly urged the leaders of the House and Senate to “immediately” pass legislation that includes funds for states to allow elections to go forward this year.

“Congress has an obligation to safeguard the integrity of our elections by setting national voting rights standards and providing state officials with urgent financial support so that they can institute these common-sense reforms while there is still time,” the groups wrote.

They advocated that Congress specifically give states funding to go toward giving every voter the option to vote by mail, extend in-person early voting, expand registration and educate voters about their voting options.

“None of us know how long this pandemic will last,” the groups emphasized. “Failing to provide states with this necessary funding puts the November election and the rights of every voter at risk.”

The coronavirus stimulus package signed into law by President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate committee to investigate origin of, response to coronavirus pandemic Amash teases possibility of third-party presidential bid Overnight Health Care: Trump fires back at critics during briefing | Trump claims he has authority on when to reopen states | Governors form groups to discuss plans | Fauci offers support to Trump | House delays return MORE last month included $400 million to help states put on elections this year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The legislation did not include any specific mandates for how states could spend the money and required states to match the funds by 20 percent, an issue some state officials have said could be difficult to accomplish.

Both House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiMore than 180 groups urge Congress to pass 0 billion in unrestricted aid to state, local governments Overnight Health Care: Trump fires back at critics during briefing | Trump claims he has authority on when to reopen states | Governors form groups to discuss plans | Fauci offers support to Trump | House delays return On The Money: Trump claims he has power to decide when to reopen states | Governors forming groups to discuss reopening | Senate caught in standoff over relief bill MORE (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerDozens of progressive organizations call on Congress to fund vote-by-mail efforts Senior Democrat casts doubt on House returning next week Pelosi, Schumer to GOP: ‘Stop posturing’ on stalled coronavirus aid MORE (D-N.Y.) have come out in favor of sending the states more funding and in favor of increasing mail-in voting in recent weeks. Pelosi originally proposed $4 billion in March for the last stimulus bill, but this amount was cut down.

Republicans have pushed back against vote by mail. President Trump tweeted last week that he was concerned voting by mail would hurt Republican chances in the elections, and that it could increase the chance for voter fraud.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyDozens of progressive organizations call on Congress to fund vote-by-mail efforts Senate punts stalled coronavirus aid to Thursday Pelosi, Schumer to GOP: ‘Stop posturing’ on stalled coronavirus aid MORE (R-Calif.) slammed Democrats last week for trying to put mail-in voting funds in the next coronavirus stimulus bill. McCarthy accused Democrats of being “concerned about the wrong thing” in comparison to battling the COVID-19 disease.

But Democrats, led by Sens. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharDozens of progressive organizations call on Congress to fund vote-by-mail efforts Election officials need resources and flexibility, not federal mandates Michelle Obama to promote absentee voting MORE (Minn.) and Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenDozens of progressive organizations call on Congress to fund vote-by-mail efforts Democrats press Labor secretary for broad distribution of unemployment benefits Election officials need resources and flexibility, not federal mandates MORE (Ore.), have continued to push for mail-in voting. Klobuchar and Wyden introduced a bill in March to expand voting access that former first lady Michelle ObamaMichelle LeVaughn Robinson ObamaDozens of progressive organizations call on Congress to fund vote-by-mail efforts Michelle Obama to promote absentee voting Biden faces new challenge: How to unify the party MORE threw her support behind on Monday.

Klobuchar, Wyden, and Sen. Christopher CoonsChristopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsDozens of progressive organizations call on Congress to fund vote-by-mail efforts Hillicon Valley: State officials push for more election funds | Coronavirus surveillance concerns ramp up pressure for privacy bill | Senators warned not to use Zoom | Agencies ask FCC to revoke China Telecom’s license Senators, bipartisan state officials press Congress for more election funds MORE (D-Del.) on Monday penned an op-ed in USA Today calling for states to get more funding for mail-in voting ahead of November.

“The next federal relief package must include sufficient funding and direction to states to expand vote by mail, early voting and online voter registration,” the senators wrote. “Republicans and Democrats should be able to work together to make this happen. The very integrity of our democracy requires that we get this right.”