House Bill 419 by Representative Mandie Landry would expand access to Voting by mail in Louisiana. Louisiana currently allows people to vote by mail if they have an "excuse" such as age or illness. Rep. Landry's bill would expand the ability to vote absentee by mail to include all eligible voters. 30+ states already allow unrestricted vote-by-mail, many for decades.

People need to feel safe while casting their ballot; this global pandemic has only underscored why this bill is needed. Under the Secretary of State's Emergency Election plan, which applies to the July and August Louisiana elections a voter caring for a loved one who is at risk of contracting COVID-19 is not eligible to vote by mail.

For the November presidential election? There is currently no expansion of Vote By Mail in Louisiana. Health experts across the country have warned that there could be a second wave of this deadly virus. We need to be prepared.