Congressman Kim Advocates for Safe Methods for Voting During House Select Committee Hearing

Press Release

Today, during a hearing of the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) advocated for safe methods for Americans to participate in November's elections, including the use of ballot drop boxes. The hearing comes following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending "[l]ower risk election polling settings" that enable all eligible voters to safely cast their ballots.

Congressman Kim began by stating that, "What keeps me up at night, is the concern about a second wave later on this year." Congressman Kim continued, "Being from New Jersey, I'm worrying about us hitting some type of level of spread that we had in New Jersey back in March or April, and having that type of concern in late October or November. I pray that doesn't happen, but it's something that's very much on my mind."

When asked what the safest way to hold elections this November would be in the face of a possible second wave of the coronavirus, Krutika Kuppalli M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, stated, "The safest way to vote, is going to be voting by mail." She continued, "Implementing all these other ways of voting also helps limit the transmission of coronavirus."

In addition to questions about how election officials can ensure voting is done safely, Congressman Kim asked Kristen Clarke, President and Executive Director, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law if ballot drop box locations are a safe way of collecting ballots or if there are any dangers of fraud from voting by drop boxes. She responded, "Drop boxes are used in many communities throughout the country. They are safe. They are secure."

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