Potter: If coronavirus relief talks end, states will be on their own for the election

Note: This piece was originally published in The Fulcrum, and was written by Checks & Balances member Trevor Potter.

President Trump ended negotiations with Speaker Nancy Pelosi over a new Covid-19 economic aid package. Then he urged Congress to immediately pass some spending bills, but excluded funding to states.

Unfortunately, it looks as if state and local governments won’t be getting the money needed to cover extra costs for this year’s election, for processing a flood of mail-in ballots or new pandemic-related safety protocols. With no additional federal help coming, states are in a hole. Because of the entrenched partisan disputes, some have even turned to private funding.

Election funding was unable to make it through Congress despite overwhelming public support. An online poll for the Campaign Legal Center and Protect Democracy showed 72 percent of likely 2020 voters backed more money for safe and secure elections.

Continue reading at The Fulcrum.