Former first lady Michelle Obama Michelle LeVaughn Robinson ObamaNational Urban League, BET launch National Black Voter Day The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon MORE and her voting-rights organization When We All Vote will back legislation to expand vote-by-mail options amid the coronavirus pandemic, the group said, marking the first time it has endorsed federal legislation.

"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.

The legislation in question has been introduced by Reps. Earl Blumenauer Earl BlumenauerAhead of a coronavirus vaccine, Mexico's drug pricing to have far-reaching impacts on Americans Trump threatens to double down on Portland in other major cities Federal agents deployed to Portland did not have training in riot control: NYT MORE (D-Ore.), Suzan DelBene Suzan Kay DelBeneDemocrats say affordable housing would be a top priority in a Biden administration On The Money: McConnell not certain about fifth coronavirus package | States expected to roll out unemployment boost in late August | Navarro blasts 'stupid' Kodak execs On The Money: Economists flabbergasted after Congress leaves with no deal | Markets rise as the economy struggles | Retail sales slow in July MORE (D-Wash.) and Jamie Raskin Jamin (Jamie) Ben RaskinShakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' Trump payroll-tax deferral for federal workers sparks backlash Congress must enact a plan to keep government workers safe MORE (D-Md.) in the House, and Sens. Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill EPA delivers win for ethanol industry angered by waivers to refiners It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates MORE (D-Minn.) and Ron Wyden Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenGOP senator blocks Schumer resolution aimed at Biden probe as tensions run high Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal Hillicon Valley: TikTok, Oracle seek Trump's approval as clock winds down | Hackers arrested for allegedly defacing U.S. websites after death of Iranian general | 400K people register to vote on Snapchat MORE (D-Ore.) in the Senate. It would allow all registered voters to vote absentee, currently a universal option in 34 states and Washington, D.C., but only available in certain circumstances in the other 16 states.

ADVERTISEMENT

Voting rights advocates have called for expanded vote-by-mail options amid social distancing efforts, while President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE has claimed that voting by mail allows for voter fraud despite casting his own ballot by mail in Florida’s primary earlier this year.

Despite an attempt by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) to delay the state’s primary earlier this month due to the pandemic, it proceeded as scheduled, resulting in long lines that raised eyebrows among both voting-rights advocates and public health experts.

"It was just deeply, profoundly concerning," Valerie Jarrett Valerie June JarrettJacob Blake shooting increased support for nationwide protests, report finds Meghan Markle to help register female voters with Michelle Obama organization Obamas discuss pandemic, voting, anxiety and community in new podcast MORE, the longtime adviser to the Obamas who chairs When We All Vote, told Axios, which first reported the push. "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."

The Obamas have stayed on the sidelines and declined to make a public endorsement in the protracted Democratic primaries but are likely to stump for presumptive nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenSenate Republicans face tough decision on replacing Ginsburg What Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies Biden says Ginsburg successor should be picked by candidate who wins on Nov. 3 MORE now that he is the only candidate remaining among the once-crowded Democratic field.

— This report was updated at 9:20 a.m.