Oregonians have been voting by mail for president since 2000. On Wednesday, Oregon Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden proposed allowing all Americans to vote by mail in case of an emergency, and asked for $500 million to help states get ready for any voter disruptions caused by the now-pandemic coronavirus, The Washington Post reports.

The practice of voting by mail has gained popularity across the country since it was passed in Oregon in 1998. According to The Washington Post, one-quarter of all American voters cast their ballots by mail in 2018.

Before coronavirus became a major national concern, more states were becoming interested in vote-by-mail for security and accessibility reasons. The practice leaves fewer vulnerabilities for hackers and doesn’t require anyone to take time off of work.

Now, growing concern over the outbreak of COVID-19 has hastened the interest in a nationwide program.

“No voter should have to choose between exercising their constitutional right and putting their health at risk,” Wyden told The Washington Post. “When disaster strikes, the safest route for seniors, individuals with compromised immune systems or other at-risk populations is to provide every voter with a paper ballot they can return by mail or drop-off site."

"This is a nonpartisan, common-sense solution to the very real threat is looming this November,” he added.

Wyden’s bill would mean all Americans could choose to vote by mail if 25% of states declared an emergency in relation to COVID-19. Several states, including Oregon, have already declared a state of emergency in response to the pandemic.

The bill would also require elections officials to over prepaid envelopes with self-sealing flaps and prohibit states from using the money to create app or internet-based voting systems.

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker

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