#Kamala Harris opens 2020 DNC by urging viewers to vote

Kamala Harris, set to formally accept the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nomination, kicked off Wednesday’s third night of the Democratic National Convention by urging supporters to vote — and offering guidance on how to ensure they can.

“I know many of you plan to vote this year, but amidst the excitement and enthusiasm for this election, you’ve also heard about obstacles and misinformation and folks making it harder for you to cast your ballot,” said the California senator who will give an acceptance speech later in the night.

As many have called for nationwide mail-in balloting with the coronavirus still raging, President Trump has frequently spoken out about what he perceives as problems with the system’s security, speed and reliability.

At the center have been concerns of whether the cash-strapped USPS can handle a crush of ballots, with Democratic lawmakers summoning Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to testify on Capitol Hill.

Harris suggested that more was at work.

“I think we need to ask ourselves why they don’t want us to vote?” she asked. “Why is there so much effort to silence our voices?

“The answer is because when we vote, things change,” she said. “When we vote, things get better.”

Harris urged supporters to text “VOTE” to the campaign for reminders on voting deadlines and how to make sure their ballots are counted.