OCA ENDORSES BILL EXPANDING VOTING ACCESS DURING CRISES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

20 March 2020

Contact: Matthew Nguyen-Ngo | Civil Rights Fellow
202.223.5500 | matthew.nguyen.ngo@ocanational.org

Washington, DC – OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates endorses H.R. 6202, The Resilient Elections During Quarantines and Natural Disasters Act of 2020, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). For decades, OCA has supported the protection and expansion of voter rights (see our recently-published state voter toolkits here). 

In light of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and White House mandates for social distancing of six feet between individuals and limits on social gatherings, it is imperative to protect the integrity of upcoming 2020 primaries and the general election, and to enshrine the rights of voters. Specifically, Rep. Blumenauer’s bill would require all states to offer universal absentee voting via electronic request, in the event that at least 25% of all states declare a state of emergency related to a disease or natural disaster. As of March 11th, this threshold has been reached.

Nineteen states have restrictions on eligibility for absentee voting. Should no action be taken, existing quarantine and social distancing mandates would have a disastrous impact on voter turnout and the full enfranchisement of Americans. Absentee voting restrictions and other administrative regulations, especially in the context of a worldwide pandemic, put voters at risk by forcing individuals to congregate at polls in person. Facing additional risk are poll workers, approximately 56% of whom are over 60 years old. It is therefore necessary to remove absentee voting restrictions for the sake of democracy during this pandemic and future crises.

In order to ensure that every vote gets counted, the bill provides universal mail-in or print-at-home absentee ballots, pays for postage through state grants, and accepts all ballots as long as they are postmarked by election day.

“Now, more than ever, we must preserve the integrity of our democracy, which is the foundation of our nation’s promise of equality,” says Executive Director Rita Pin Ahrens. “Congress must take swift action to ensure every voter who wants to cast a ballot can do so, regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic, or any other future crisis.”

OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national civil rights organization dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

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