Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-4573
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2022-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional officers and employees
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal district courts
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
Judges
Judicial review and appeals
Legislative rules and procedure
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
State and local government operations
Supreme Court
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2022-07-20
text: 

Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022

 
This bill revises the process of casting and counting electoral votes for presidential elections. The bill also revises provisions related to the presidential transition process.
 
The bill specifies that the choice of electors must occur in accordance with the laws of the state enacted prior to election day. 
 
Additionally, the bill identifies each state's governor (unless otherwise identified in the laws or constitution of a state in effect on election day) as responsible for submitting the certificate of ascertainment identifying the state's electors. Further, the bill provides for expedited judicial review for any action brought by an aggrieved presidential or vice-presidential candidate arising under the U.S. Constitution or U.S. laws with respect to the issuance or transmission of such a certificate.
 
The bill revises the framework for the joint session of Congress to count electoral votes and make a formal declaration of which candidates have been elected President and Vice President. Among other changes, the bill (1) specifies that the role of the Vice President during the joint session shall be ministerial in nature, and (2) raises the objection threshold in Congress to at least one-fifth of the duly chosen and sworn members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
 
The bill also revises the presidential transition process, including to (1) allow more than one candidate to receive federal transition resources under certain circumstances, and (2) require additional reporting by the General Services Administration.

action_date: 2022-10-18
text: 

Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022

 
This bill revises the process of casting and counting electoral votes for presidential elections. The bill also revises provisions related to the presidential transition process.
 
The bill specifies that the choice of electors must occur in accordance with the laws of the state enacted prior to election day. 
 
Additionally, the bill identifies each state's governor (unless otherwise identified in the laws or constitution of a state in effect on election day) as responsible for submitting the certificate of ascertainment identifying the state's electors. Further, the bill provides for expedited judicial review for any action brought by an aggrieved presidential or vice-presidential candidate arising under the U.S. Constitution or U.S. laws with respect to the issuance or transmission of such a certificate.
 
The bill revises the framework for the joint session of Congress to count electoral votes and make a formal declaration of which candidates have been elected President and Vice President. Among other changes, the bill (1) specifies that the role of the Vice President during the joint session shall be ministerial in nature, and (2) raises the objection threshold in Congress to at least one-fifth of the duly chosen and sworn members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
 
The bill also revises the presidential transition process, including to (1) allow more than one candidate to receive federal transition resources under certain circumstances, and (2) require additional reporting by the General Services Administration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-10-18
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529.
action_date: 2022-10-18
text: Committee on Rules and Administration. Reported by Senator Klobuchar under authority of the order of the Senate of 10/14/2022 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-10-18
text: Committee on Rules and Administration. Reported by Senator Klobuchar under authority of the order of the Senate of 10/14/2022 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-09-27
text: Committee on Rules and Administration. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2022-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3545-3546)
action_date: 2022-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate