The option of voting by mail is the only way to protect people from the covid-19 in the polling stations, experts warn
All Americans should have the option to vote by mail in the November general election to protect themselves against coronavirus in crowded polling stations, a group of doctors, nurses and public health officials warned in a letter sent to congressional leaders Thursday.
Each US state has an absentee ballot-by-mail or ballot option, but about a third only allow it in certain circumstances.
That is unacceptable during a pandemic when people’s health, and possibly life, is at risk of a life-threatening virus, the Medical Society Consortium said in the letter. Weather and health.
The letter was addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi; House of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“At all levels of government, the 2020 elections should not compel people to put their health against their role as a citizen, which is to vote,” said Mona Sarfaty, director of the consortium, in a statement.
“It is already clear that fear of infection will keep some employees away from polling places, leading to longer waits and increased exposure. People will face a higher risk of contagion. “
Polling stations are often lined with long lines that make social distancing difficult.
“We write to urge you to act quickly and aggressively to make sure that everyone in U.S who are eligible to vote can do so without risking their health, ”the group said in the letter.
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