House Passes HEROES Act, Includes Crucial Funds to Run Safe, Secure 2020 Elections During Pandemic

Local and state governments can’t afford the equipment, supplies, and technology for November that they must order now.

For Immediate Release

The House of Representatives passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, a stimulus package that would allocate $3.6 billion for the equipment, supplies, and staffing needed to administer elections in 2020 that protect voters’ and poll workers’ health.

Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, had the following comment:

“Federal funding for safe elections can make sure we avoid a democracy crisis in November. This bill provides the key resources to run safe elections. State and local governments urgently need the money to protect voters and implement needed changes. Time matters. Officials can’t just walk into a Staples in November and pick up the necessary equipment. They face ordering and purchasing deadlines that started this month. The Senate must move fast to get funding to state election officials. The vote can’t wait.”

Brennan Center Resources

• Preparing for Election Day (May 11, 2020): Deadlines and supply chains for equipment, supplies, technology, and other needs for administering a safe election
• Ensuring Safe Elections (April 30, 2020): Cost profiles of five states’ election needs in 2020
• Preparing Your State for an Election Under Pandemic Conditions (April 27, 2020): 50-state breakdown of the policies states have and need to protect their elections

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