Former first lady Michelle Obama and her nonpartisan voting initiative When We All Vote are calling for the government to expand voting options ahead of the 2020 election.

Democrats in Congress have sponsored legislation that would expand early voting options and mail-in voting as concerns continue to brew over how the 2020 election will be held amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Americans should never have to choose between making their voices heard and keeping themselves and their families safe. Expanding access to vote-by-mail, online voter registration and early voting are critical steps for this moment — and they're long overdue," Obama said in a statement.

There has been a huge push nationwide for mail-in voting as concerns are raised about how people will make it to the polls. In Wisconsin during the primary election, people were forced to stand in close proximity, and others left without voting or just stayed home, The New York Times reported. 

For decades, the Republican Party has worked hard to restrict voting options out of fear that conservative candidates would lose elections. 

Over the past two weeks, President Donald Trump has repeatedly said in tweets and at press conferences that if more people are allowed to vote, Republican candidates will not win. He said if mail-in voting were allowed, “you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.”

After facing criticism for his comments, Trump backtracked, claiming voting by mail would increase voter fraud, which experts have repeatedly proven is not an issue.  

The president faced even more criticism last week when it was revealed that he voted through the mail during Florida's presidential primary.

Despite outrage from some Republicans, scientists and experts say there is little evidence to show the political party would lose more races if more people were given the chance to vote.

"There is nothing partisan about striving to live up to the promise of our country; making the democracy we all cherish more accessible; and protecting our neighbors, friends and loved ones as they participate in this cornerstone of American life," Obama said in her statement. 

States have different rules for election day and voting, but the latest bill from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., which was introduced in March to standardize the rules requiring states to offer absentee voting for all residents, allows voters to request ballots electronically up to five days before an election.

"If you look at the pictures that America saw last night coming out of Wisconsin, I believe we've got to say this is no longer a partisan issue. This is a decency issue. This is a fundamental judgment about the decency we've always had as Americans where we say, of course, we're going to protect the well-being of our people," said Wyden in a statement.

Despite opposition from party leaders, some Republican lawmakers said the country should expand voting in light of the unprecedented measures needed to keep people safe from the coronavirus. 

Through her initiative, Obama has pushed for more people to participate in elections and has taken a number of steps to promote voting, particularly in Black communities.

Obama started When We All Vote in 2018 and has held dozens of events across the country. She teamed up with DJ D-Nice for a voting event in March and started the #PromChallenge social media campaign in February.

"Throwing it back to my 1982 prom night and this pink satin, polka-dotted dress. If you're a student or teacher, join the #PromChallenge with @WhenWeAllVote and @MTV and tell us what your school is doing to register students to vote — you could get a free prom for your school! Learn more at prom.mtv.com. You can also help me spread the word by posting your prom photo with #PromChallenge," the former first lady wrote on Instagram in February.

Black-VotingFirst-Lady-Michelle-ObamaPresident Donald TrumpPresident-Barack-Obamawhen we all vote