We’re wrapping up our discussion of the proposed, bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act in the U.S. Senate with what advocacy groups are saying about the legislation.
The post American Democracy Minute for July 28, 2022: Democracy Advocates Speak Out on Election Count Reform Act appeared first on American Democracy Minute.
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Today’s Links
Articles:
Statement from ACLU – ACLU COMMENT ON THE ELECTORAL COUNT ACT REFORM PROPOSAL
Statement from Campaign Legal Center – Senate Introduces Bipartisan Bill Updating the Electoral Count Act
Article from the Brennan Center for Justice – How to Fix the Electoral Count Act
Polling collected by Protecting Democracy – Polling shows bipartisan support for critical updates to the Electoral Count Act
Groups Taking Action: ACLU, Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice, Protect Democracy
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re wrapping up our discussion of the proposed, bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act in the U.S. Senate with what advocacy groups are saying about the legislation.
Kary Moss, Acting National Political Director of the ACLU, said in a statement: “The Senate should closely and carefully review the proposal introduced by Senators to reform the Electoral Count Act. Every American should be confident that the outcome of elections will be honored following a presidential election. It is imperative Americans have confidence in our democratic process, especially after the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6.”
The Campaign Legal Center also endorses the fixes to the Electoral Count Act. Their statement reads, “The next presidential election could be one of the most contentious ever. Now is the time for the Senate to move this crucial legislation. Congress must act as soon as possible to pass the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act to protect the will of the people, because elections should be decided by voters, not partisan politicians.”
While endorsing the reforms, the Brennan Center for Justice reminds us, “Fixing the Electoral Count Act is a necessary and important step, but it is no substitute for broader national safeguards. The Freedom to Vote John R. Lewis Act, which passed the House but was narrowly defeated because of the filibuster earlier this year in the Senate, would have addressed many of the major problems our democracy faces. Passage of that bill or one like it must remain the long-term goal.
Read their full statements at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. Granny D said Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
The post American Democracy Minute for July 28, 2022: Democracy Advocates Speak Out on Election Count Reform Act appeared first on American Democracy Minute.
]]>As we noted yesterday, a reform for the Electoral Count Act introduced last week in the U.S. Senate clarifies that the governor must appoint the slate of presidential electors. But how does this new proposal protect against, theoretically speaking of course, a governor who is an election-denier?
The post American Democracy Minute for July 27, 2022: How Does the New Electoral Count Reform Act Protect Against an Election-Denying Governor? appeared first on American Democracy Minute.
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Today’s Links
Articles:
Lawfare – Correcting Misconceptions About the Electoral Count Reform Act
Brennan Center for Justice – How to Fix the Electoral Count Act
Slate – The New Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Another Jan. 6 Would Actually Work
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
As we noted yesterday, a reform for the Electoral Count Act introduced last week in the U.S. Senate clarifies that the governor must appoint the slate of presidential electors. But how does this new proposal protect against, theoretically speaking of course, a governor who is an election-denier?
An analysis in the online journal Lawfare, written by former Obama White House Counsel Bob Bauer, and Harvard Law School professor Jack Goldsmith, argues that the reform does include additional safeguards. It takes out the vague responsibilities in the 1887 rules about an “Executive of State” and clarifies it to be the Governor or the official responsible for the state’s elections. The Governor must follow state laws enacted before the election. And now, he or she must complete the certification six days before the electoral college.
Bauer and Goldsmith also say that the reform bill establishes a path for the courts, first state and then federal, should a rogue governor or chief election official stray from the rules. It also specifies that this judicial remedy should be expedited so as to not slow down the electoral college process.
While there are criticisms that the reforms could be stronger in some areas of the Electoral Count Reform Act, Bauer, Goldsmith and the majority of other scholars praise the bipartisan bill and say it would make our elections more resistant to bad actors.
Check out more articles on the Electoral Count Act at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
The post American Democracy Minute for July 27, 2022: How Does the New Electoral Count Reform Act Protect Against an Election-Denying Governor? appeared first on American Democracy Minute.
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