A multi-denominational coalition of Christian leaders is calling on Congress to allocate upwards of $4 billion in its next coronavirus economic recovery measure to help Americans safely cast their votes in November.

In a letter to lawmakers spearheaded by the Christian social justice group Sojourners, the faith leaders describe voting as “a sacred right and commitment, particularly given our nation’s long struggle to extend the right to vote to every eligible citizen regardless of factors such as race and gender.”

The ongoing public health risk of the coronavirus has raised widespread concerns about whether the nation is adequately prepared to hold in-person voting during this fall’s presidential and congressional elections. Their request aligns with a Democratic push for an expansion of mail-in balloting, which the Christian leaders signing onto Monday’s letter urged that lawmakers make “universally available.”

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