Michelle Obama is championing an expansion of vote-by-mail options with her voting rights group, When We All Vote, which is endorsing federal legislation for the first time.
The former first lady and the celebrity-backed organization will announce Monday their support for legislation introduced by a handful of Democratic lawmakers during the COVID-19 crisis, according to Axios.
The legislation gives all registered voters the ability to vote by absentee ballot and makes it easier for voters to obtain mail-in ballots. The group will encourage U.S. citizens to press their lawmakers on expanding access to vote-by-mail.
“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,” Obama said in a statement.
Obama spoke out last week against the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision preventing the state’s voting deadline from being extended amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Today, Wisconsin voters had to choose between making their voice heard and keeping themselves and their family safe. No American should ever have to make that choice.
We must do better to ensure voting is safe for all voters. The latest Wisconsin voting information is below. https://t.co/x1LwEb9H4N
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) April 7, 2020
“It was just deeply, profoundly concerning,” said Valerie Jarrett, an adviser and friend of the Obamas who is the board chairwoman of When We All Vote.
“Our goal is to just try to make sure we maximize the number of citizens who can participate in that most fundamental and important responsibility,” she added.
