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Casting & Counting
Our country is near the end of a presidential campaign filled with hate and joy. As a result, throughout the land the question is, “what will happen when the results are known.”
There is conversation and worry taking place in homes, churches, businesses, bars & restaurants and on social media. The concern goes from November 5th when votes are counted until they are certified on January 6th.
These worries are brought on with one candidate saying he will not accept the results if he loses. History recorded on January 6, 2021, how those who did not accept the results stormed the United States Capitol to stop certification of the election. We pray this will not happen in 2025…what an awful way to begin a new presidency and year.
With all the noise a matter likely overlooked by Americans was action taken by the Congress to reform the casting and counting law originally enacted in 1887. In December 2022 Congress passed the Electoral Count Reform Act to provide much-needed clarity of the process related to electoral votes. It addressed the roles of the state and federal actors in that process and eliminated many of the most concerning potential weaknesses in the law.
Below are provisions in the 2022 reform law. This information is offered to provide some comfort as we face casting and counting.
- Requires that states appoint electors on Election Day in accordance with pre-existing law and eliminates the concept of “failed” elections.
- Adds clarity to the process by which states officials ascertain and certify their election results to Congress.
- Gives federal courts a clear and expedited role in ensuring that states send lawful certifications of election results to Congress.
- Makes it absolutely clear that the Vice President’s role in the electoral vote-counting process is ministerial.
- Makes it more difficult for members of Congress to make frivolous objections to the state election results.
- Clarifies how a majority of appointed electors will be calculated.
Click here to read the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022.
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