Michelle Obama Voices Support For Democratic Bills To Make Voting By Mail Easier

Former First Lady Michelle Obama and the nonpartisan group that she co-chairs, When We All Vote, offered support to Democratic House initiatives this week to make it easier to vote during the coronavirus pandemic.

The House has passed a series of bills aimed at helping states with 2020 election cycle including early in-person voting, online voting registration and voting by mail.

Obama said in a statement that “[these are] critical steps for this moment.”

The former first lady’s announcement came after the Wisconsin primary earlier this month in which thousands of voters waited in line for hours without protective gear, while thousands of other voters remained at home.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) had tried to postpone the election until June. He issued the order because public health officials wanted to curtail the spread of the virus. Wisconsin Republicans insisted on keeping the election on schedule and took Evers to the U.S. Supreme Court, which overturned the governor’s order.

“Americans should never have to choose between making their voices heard and keeping themselves and their families safe,” Obama said in a statement. “There is nothing partisan about striving to live up to the promise of our country: making the democracy we all cherish more accessible and protecting our neighbors, friends and loved ones as they participate in this cornerstone of American life,” she added.

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Article by Emily Bevacqua