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Let America Vote Praises Senators Klobuchar and Wyden for Introducing Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act

Let America Vote President Tiffany Muller released the following statement applauding Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) for introducing the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act (NDEBA): 

“In the midst of unprecedented circumstances, our country is in desperate need of proactive and steady leadership. By introducing the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Ron Wyden––and the dozens of Democratic Senate cosponsors they’ve already attracted––are stepping up to the plate in the midst of a pandemic to responsibly address and secure a fundamental American right: making sure voting systems are inclusive for all. This bill is a thoughtful and effective solution that will ensure our democratic process continues in a manner that also protects public health during this crisis. It would expand and strengthen no-excuse absentee vote-by-mail to all 50 states so that every American can safely cast their ballot from their homes and bolster in-person voting with additional safeguards. Let America Vote thanks Senators Klobuchar and Wyden for their remarkable leadership during this time, and we urge Majority Leader McConnell and the Republican-controlled Senate to put aside partisan politics and pass this bill.”

The Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020 sets forth measurements to ensure elections are resilient to natural disasters and public health emergencies. Among the many provisions included in the bill, the NDEBA would require all states to offer 20 days of no-excuse absentee vote-by-mail and early in-person voting. It would also require all states to make online requests for absentee ballots available as well as accept absentee ballots requests that are made five days before an election.

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