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When it comes to protecting the democratic process in the midst of a pandemic, cities have a critical role to play.
Whether acting on their own or in partnership with election officials and private entities, cities are instrumental in facilitating voter registration and voter participation; recruiting and retaining poll workers; and promoting voter education.
Our new issue brief outlines 20 key measures cities can implement to help protect the election this fall. Here are some ideas city officials should consider undertaking:
Where permissible, cities can proactively send voter registration forms & absentee ballot applications to all voting-eligible residents, w/return envelopes and prepaid postage.
Partner with local food banks, grocery stores, & pharmacies to host voter registration & absentee ballot application drives, as well as drives to recruit poll workers during the weeks and months leading up to Election Day.
Work with election officials to launch mobile vote centers that travel through city neighborhoods, helping people register to vote and apply for and return absentee ballots.
Add banners to city webpages directing residents to online voter registration or registration application websites as well as websites for absentee ballot applications.
Partner with colleges & other educational institutions to provide students with voter registration applications, absentee ballot applications, and important election information.
To help ensure safe & efficient access to polling locations, cities can create free, specialized bus lines during early voting and on Election Day that shuttle voters directly to and from polling places in compliance with public health guidelines.
Make city bike sharing free during early voting periods and on Election Day & partner with private bike-sharing and scooter companies to similarly offer free services during early voting periods. Such initiatives must comply with public health guidelines.
Recruit ride-sharing companies to provide free or significantly discounted transportation to voters and election workers during early voting periods and on Election Day in compliance with public health guidelines.
Work with local election officials in volunteering city buildings as polling places and city property as designated drop-box locations.
Offer all city employees paid time off to vote during early voting periods and on Election Day and partner with businesses to do the same.
Although these proposals outlined are especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, they should be applied and executed each election cycle. Read the full @amprog brief here: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/democracy/reports/2020/08/17/489534/20-ways-cities-can-promote-safe-effective-elections-november/
