ACLU Comment on the Electoral Count Act Reform Proposal

July 21, 2022 7:15 pm

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WASHINGTON — Yesterday, a bipartisan group of Senators introduced bipartisan legislation to reform and modernize the Electoral Count Act, a federal law outlining the procedures for the counting of electoral votes following a presidential election.

The following comment is from Kary Moss, Acting National Political Director of the ACLU:

“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.

“January 6 was a tragedy; it was the worst attack on our Capitol since British troops set fire to the building in 1814. The lie that the 2020 election was rigged not only led to the violence we saw on January 6, but has also been used to justify voter suppression legislation across the country.”

“But make no mistake: modernization of the Electoral Count Act is not the only reform needed to save our democracy. Voter suppression efforts and unequal representation were widespread before the Jan. 6 insurrection and still continue to exist. Senators must also come together to pass comprehensive federal voting rights legislation. Updating the Electoral Count Act is a necessary first step towards repairing our democracy.”

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