Voter turnout has been steadily on the rise since the 2014 election. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, voter turnout in 2018 increased among all major racial, ethnic, and age groups. The turnout rate in 2018 — 53 percent — was the highest for a midterm election in over four decades.

The 2020 election turnout rate is expected to be the largest in decades — possibly even the highest presidential turnout rate in more than one hundred years — with some predictions estimating that as many as two-thirds of all eligible voters may cast a ballot.

And now we are facing a global pandemic. When states require in-person voting, COVID-2019, or coronavirus, demonstrates another way things can go wrong.

While it is exciting to imagine so many voters engaging with democracy, considerable voter turnout could mean considerable stress on our election systems, especially if those systems aren’t ready. With careful and proactive planning — starting today — our election systems can be prepared to handle an uncommonly busy 2020 Election Day.  

We must urge our state election officials to put precautions and preparations in place. Encourage state election officials to:

• Install election security protocols;
• Invest in Election Day resources including poll workers and voting machines;
• Establish polling place accessibility for all eligible voters; and
• Create an Election Day emergency preparedness plan.
• Enact Vote by Mail in ALL states

In order to provide all voters access to the polls, and the right to have their voice heard, we must demand our state election officials are doing everything they can to ensure all potential issues are being addressed ahead of Election Day.

The people are ready to share their voice. Now is the time to enact policies and procedures to make sure they can do just that.

Sign the petition: Demand your state election officials enact policies and procedures ahead of Election Day 2020 in order to ensure we all have access to vote.