Electoral Count Protection: 2024
The Problem
American presidential elections rely on a complicated chain of procedures that transform ballots cast in thousands of local jurisdictions into the inaugurated leader of the nation. The 2020 election demonstrated that each link in the chain is vulnerable to doubt and subversion. Election officials around the country have stepped up heroically to this challenge, redoubling their efforts to demonstrate the safeguards that can assure voters of the reliability of the process. Congress has also taken a critically important step by passing the Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA), which removes dangerous ambiguity around the roles of state officials, state legislators, Congress and the Vice President, while prioritizing the role of courts to resolve disputes.
Because of the ECRA’s passage, many states have found that the laws governing their presidential elections require an update to comply with the new framework that Congress has established. So far nine states, including three battleground states, have passed ECRA update laws, and more are in progress. In some states, partisan gridlock looks likely to prevent the needed changes, creating risks of litigation and civil unrest over discrepancies between state and federal laws.
The Solutions
Election Reformers Network (ERN) has been working to help states comply with the ECRA since shortly after its passage. To maximize impact, ERN helped launch a coalition of four national reform organizations that works together to support successful legislation in many states. More work needs to be done before November 2024. The ongoing program has the following core elements:
1) Passing ECRA compliance laws in more states
2) Advancing regulatory changes by secretaries of state
3) Supporting risk-mitigation activities among secretaries of state and other election officials
4) Preparing states for potential litigation
Coalition partners
Election Reformers Network, Campaign Legal Center, Protect Democracy, States United Democracy Center.
Legislative Action
The coalition has supported research and engagement in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin, with legislation drafted and supported by the coalition passing in Michigan, Arizona and Wisconsin to date.
State Partners
ERN and the coalition are working in close collaboration state election policy leaders include secretaries of state, state legislators, and leading civil society organizations.
You can help.
The budget for this project is $50,000, of which we have raised $25,000 to date. We seek additional grant funding to cover costs. Individual donors may also support the work by donating today. Contact Executive Director Kevin Johnson for more information.