Politico Playbook: Republicans Opposed to More Election Funding Despite Massively Increased Covid-Related Costs for In-Person and Absentee Voting

This is distressing:

THERE ARE A SET OF POLICY AREAS where stumbling blocks remain. DEMOCRATS want new money for the Postal Service, new money for elections and nearly $1 trillion for state and local governments. REPUBLICANS seem open to USPS money to address operational shortfalls, but they are a hard no on money going to a new mail-in balloting system. Dems want $25 billion for the USPS, Republicans think the number is closer to $5 billion. DEMS want state and local cash — Republicans have pushed for flexibility with already appropriated money. Republicans likewise will not give on more money for the election.

The fact is that this election is going to be much more expensive whether Congress funds it or not, and the lack of funding is going to mean sloppier procedures, more disenfranchisement, and longer lines for voters—and this is true for Democratic, Republican, and other voters. This should not be a partisan issue.

We called for adequate covid-related funding for our elections from Congress in our “Fair Elections During a Crisis” report. The question is now urgent.