Two out of 3 of Americans believe that it is “very to somewhat likely that the coronavirus outbreak will significantly disrupt people’s ability to vote” in the 2020 presidential election, according to a Pew Research poll. Are you currently prepared for this probable reality? Expanding vote by mail is one recommended option to combat health risks during the pandemic by supplementing in-person voting with alternative options to reduce face to face contact during elections.

The 2020 election cycle is dramatically changing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Open Source Election Technology Institute, 47 states have taken measures to expand their election policies to allow all voters to have access to a vote by mail option. In some states, these policies have been in place for years while others have been recently implemented to specifically address health risks associated with in-person voting during the pandemic.

Vote by mail policies have always been complicated, and now COVID-19 is further amplifying existing difficulties. 

At BallotReady, we’re tracking six key ways COVID-19 is impacting elections, candidates, and voters.