Every State, Every Vote Responds to the Lack of Election Assistance in the Senate Republicans’ COVID-19 Relief Proposal

Senate Republicans announced their proposal for the next COVID-19 relief bill – and it contains zero dollars in election assistance for states. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “We’ve already appropriated an awful lot of money for election assistance.”

Every State, Every Vote Co-Chair Oregon Gov. Kate Brown released the following statement regarding the lack of election assistance:

“The price of a fair, safe, and accessible election in November is $4 billion. The Republicans aren’t afraid of the cost, they’re afraid of Americans making their voices heard. 

“It is an offense to our democracy that Republicans are refusing to allocate any additional election assistance. They are playing political games in D.C. with the fundamental right to vote. But this isn’t a partisan issue.  

“On the ground, Governors from both parties are moving to vote-from-home measures to protect access to free and fair elections during the pandemic. But implementing new voting measures costs money that cash-strapped states don’t have.

“As the fabric of our society is being ripped apart, it is important that the foundation of our democracy remains strong. No one should have to choose between their health and their right to vote.”