The presidential campaign of former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE has hired a national director for voter protection as expanding access to the ballot box emerges as a chief concern for Democrats, particularly\u00a0amid the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
The campaign announced Tuesday that it has tapped Rachana Desai Martin to join its legal team and serve as senior counsel. Prior to joining Biden\u2019s campaign, Martin served as the chief operating officer of the Democratic National Committee as well as the group\u2019s director of civic engagement and voter protection.<\/p>\n
\u201cVoting is at the heart of our democracy, and @TeamJoe is committed to making sure everybody’s voices are heard,\u201d tweeted Matt Hill, the Biden campaign\u2019s deputy national press secretary.\u00a0<\/p>\n
ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nNEWS >> Rachana Desai Martin, @RachuDM, will be joining @JoeBiden’s campaign as National Director for Voter Protection and Senior Counsel. Voting is at the heart of our democracy, and @TeamJoe is committed to making sure everybody’s voices are heard.https:\/\/t.co\/aYkRGubK6H<\/p>\n
\u2014 Matt Hill (@thematthill) May 26, 2020<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n
The hire comes as Democrats scramble to expand access to ballots, with lawmakers on Capitol Hill eyeing legislation to boost mail-in voting.<\/p>\n
State governments run by both parties have also explored expanding mail-in voting as a way to allow voters to send in their election picks while observing social distancing guidelines during the pandemic. For instance, Michigan announced it will be sending absentee ballot applications to all of its 7.7 million registered voters.<\/p>\n
ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n
The effort to expand voting access has gained steam in recent weeks after long lines were seen at polling stations for a number of primary races, raising concerns that voters were forced to choose between risking their health and sitting out of the elections.<\/p>\n
However, Republicans, led by President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE, have come out in force against mail-in voting measures, claiming that voting by mail is particularly susceptible to fraud. There has been no evidence presented to back up these claims.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is NO WAY (ZERO!) that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent. Mail boxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed,\u201d Trump tweeted Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nThere is NO WAY (ZERO!) that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent. Mail boxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed. The Governor of California is sending Ballots to millions of people, anyone…..<\/p>\n
\u2014 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2020<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n
The Democratic Party has been increasingly voicing concerns about voter access since 2018, when a high-profile gubernatorial race in Georgia was marred by allegations of voter suppression. The party has railed against states that have passed voter ID requirements and overseen purges of voter rolls, moves Democrats say are intended to target voters of color.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Martin\u2019s hiring was first reported by The Associated Press.<\/p>\n