Election calendar continues with key post-election dates
After the dust has settled from Election Day, officials in every state still have several important dates ahead to verify the final vote tally. This election cycle has been different from the past, with significant changes made in response to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
The Electoral Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act was passed by Congress in December 2022 as part of the government spending bill. This bill includes changes to the process in which presidential election results are transferred from the states to Congress. It was a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers backing the measure.
President Biden praised the passage of the Electoral Reform Act, highlighting the importance of upholding the rule of law and preventing chaos and violence in the electoral process. The events of Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, underscored the need for reforms to ensure the integrity of future elections.
The new law updates legislation dating back to the election of 1876, which was marred by accusations of fraud from both parties. The lack of clear guidelines on how to handle contested elections led to the passage of the Electoral Count Act of 1887. However, this law remained unchanged for over a century until the recent update.
One key provision of the Electoral Reform Act is the establishment of deadlines for states to certify their appointment of electors. This must be done at least six days before the electors meet to cast their votes. Additionally, the law includes an expedited procedure for courts to resolve disputes over the appointment of electors, ensuring that any legal challenges are addressed before the electors vote.
On Dec. 17, members of the Electoral College will meet in each state to cast their votes for president and vice president. The electoral votes must be received by the president of the Senate and the archivist by Dec. 25. Congress will then count the electoral votes on Jan. 6, with several clarifications made to the process to prevent objections without sufficient support.
Senate Leader Mitch McConnell emphasized the importance of avoiding an \”arms race\” of objections during the counting of electoral votes. The role of the vice president in resolving disputes over the electoral count has also been clarified in the updated law, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
The Electoral Reform Act represents a significant step forward in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process and upholding the rule of law. By establishing clear guidelines and deadlines for certifying election results, the Act aims to prevent future incidents of chaos and violence like those seen on Jan. 6, 2021. As the final vote tally is verified in the coming weeks, officials across the country will work to ensure a smooth and transparent transition of power.
