The Democracy Action Team (DAT) is focusing on reforming the Electoral Count Act, after the disappointing Senate filibuster of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
One measure under consideration – the Electoral Count Modernization Act – does have bipartisan support. It would update and clarify the current 1887-passed law that governs the casting and counting of electoral votes for president as well as the role of Congress and the vice president. Reforming the current law is aimed at averting the chaos and misinformation following the 2020 presidential election.
There is some interest in adding a few crucial voting rights protections to the Electoral Count Modernization Act. However, some lawmakers say it would only reprise the January failure of John Lewis voting rights bill and stall reforming the ECA.
Given these developments, the Democracy Action Team is scheduling meetings with the offices of key senators involved in reforming the current law to learn what’s likely to be included in the Electoral Count Modernization Act.
While reforming current law is needed, legislation protecting federal voting rights remains critical. Lawmakers in 27 states are considering more than 250 bills that would limit voting access, and lawmakers in 13 states are considering 41 bills that would undermine the electoral process.
Please use this Action Alert to contact your senators and ask them to protect voting rights as they work to improve the Electoral Care Act.
For More Information:
Averting an electoral count constitutional crisis, by Issue One: https://issueone.org/solutions/averting-an-electoral-count-constitutional-crisis/
King, Klobuchar, Durbin Share Discussion Draft to Modernize Electoral Count Act: https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-klobuchar-durbin-share-discussion-draft-to-modernize-electoral-count-act
The Brennan Center for Justice has a February 2022 Voting Laws Roundup: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voting-laws-roundup-february-2022
NPR interviews Brennan Center President Michael Waldman about the future of US democracy: https://www.npr.org/2022/02/17/1081428996/the-future-of-u-s-democracy-hangs-in-the-balance-as-states-battle-over-voting-ri