Earlier today, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to reform the Electoral Count Act (ECA) of 1887 as part of the omnibus spending package.
Reforming the ECA is an essential step toward preventing another January 6th. It clarifies that the vice president’s role in counting electoral votes is purely ceremonial, raises the objection threshold from just one member in each chamber to 20 percent of Congress, and requires that Congress accept the lawful slates of electors for each state. Read more here.
While ECA reform is only one among multiple essential federal and state actions necessary to protect our elections and democracy from interference, the passage of this bill that attracted support from both sides of the aisle is worthy of celebration.
Leadership Now Project is proud to have joined the year-long effort to support legislation reforming the ECA. In that time, Leadership Now members engaged with numerous senators, made our support known in the press and in many on- and off-the-record convenings, and encouraged other business associations to sign on.
Passage of the ECA is a fitting end to an important year for American democracy – a meaningful step forward while also a reminder of how much remains to be done.