Should states be required to establish contingency plans to conduct federal elections during national disasters and emergencies?

Awaiting Vote
Bill Summary

The Natural Disaster Emergency Ballot Act (NDEBA) seeks to ensure that voting rights are protected in the case of natural disasters and pandemics. The bill calls for states to establish contingency plans so that in the context of an emergency, eligible Americans are still able to vote, permitting both in-person voting at least twenty days early and no-excuse absentee voting by mail. Furthermore, the bill requires downloadable and printable absentee ballots, prepaid self-sealing envelopes with intelligent mail barcodes, a portal that allows election officials to update voters about their ballots, and accommodations for voters residing on Indian lands. To increase security that the votes are legitimate, the bill calls for a “notice and cure process” for mismatched signatures. The bill establishes reimbursements to states for complying with NDEBA, and it provides $3 million in additional funds to the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) for supporting states with implementing the act. Sponsors: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, Minneasota) and Sen. Ron Wyden (Democrat, Oregon)
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Opponents say

• “While I appreciate the Senators’ efforts, imposing additional constraints on states from the federal government is the opposite of what we should be doing right now… Most states have already integrated these methods of voting, and we don't know how long it would take the rest of the country to be able to successfully implement these programs. We should not be pushing through unnecessary policies in a time of emergency” Source: Sen. Rodney Davis (Republican, Illinois)
• “Mail ballots are the most labor-intensive [way to count votes], and the switch to them in 2020, as you well know, is causing delays in final results… And that runs counter to one of the Republicans’ main goals, which is trying to end the election on election night.” Source: Ion Sanchos (Former Florida Election Official)

Proponents say

• “We must take critical steps to ensure that states have the resources they need to implement early in-person voting and no-excuse absentee vote-by-mail programs. As Congress prepares to provide states with medical and economic relief, we should also act swiftly to pass my legislation to ensure that every American has a safe way to participate in our democracy during a national emergency.” Source: Sen. Ron Wyden (Democrat, Oregon)
• “This legislation is an important step forward in safeguarding our elections and the democratic participation of all eligible voters, including those who may be most vulnerable during a crisis. That's not a partisan priority, it's an American one.” Source: Alexandra Chandler (Protect Democracy)