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Bill117th CongressFiled Jul 20, 2022Government Operations and Politics
S. 4573

Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022

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What it doesSummary reported to senate (Oct 18, 2022)

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.

What just happenedOct 18, 2022

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME](R-ME)Sponsor
38 cosponsors22 D15 R1 I
Read on Congress.gov
38cosponsors1committees6actions2related bills16subjects
  1. Oct 18, 2022Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529.

  2. Oct 18, 2022Committee

    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.

    Rules and Administration Committee
  3. Oct 18, 2022Committee14000

    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.

    Rules and Administration Committee
  4. Sep 27, 2022Committee

    Committee on Rules and Administration. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

    Rules and Administration Committee
  5. Jul 20, 2022IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3545-3546)

    Rules and Administration Committee
  6. Jul 20, 2022IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Reported to SenateOct 18, 202225

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.

Introduced in SenateJul 20, 2022

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.

Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022 — Informed