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Bill117th CongressFiled Sep 19, 2022Government Operations and Politics
H.R. 8873

Presidential Election Reform Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house (Sep 21, 2022)

Presidential Election Reform Act

This bill revises the process of casting and counting electoral votes for presidential elections.

The bill specifies that the choice of electors must occur in accordance with the laws of the state enacted prior to election day.

Next, the bill specifies that the voting time for a state's presidential election may only be extended due to a catastrophic event. Catastrophic event means a major natural disaster, act of terrorism, or widespread power outage if it (1) prevents a substantial portion of a state's electorate from casting a ballot on election day, or (2) causes a substantial number of ballots already cast in a state to be destroyed or rendered unreadable.

Additionally, the bill requires each state's governor to certify the appointment of electors for the state. Further, the bill provides for expedited judicial review for an action brought by an aggrieved presidential or vice-presidential candidate with respect to the issuance or transmission of a certificate of appointment.

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 presiding officer (the Vice President or, in the absence of the Vice President, the President pro tempore) during the joint session shall be ministerial in nature, and (2) raises the objection threshold in Congress to at least one-third of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

What just happenedSep 22, 2022

Received in the Senate.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19](D-CA)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 R
Read on Congress.gov
1cosponsors2committees14actions1related bills17subjects
  1. Sep 22, 2022IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. Sep 21, 2022FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Sep 21, 2022FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 229 - 203 (Roll No. 449). (text: CR H8032-8036)

  4. Sep 21, 2022Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 229 - 203 (Roll No. 449).(text: CR H8032-8036)

  5. Sep 21, 2022FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  6. Sep 21, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8873.

  7. Sep 21, 2022FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8873 with 1 hour of general debate. Resolution also provides one motion to recommit.

  8. Sep 21, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1372. (consideration: CR H8032-8048)

  9. Sep 21, 2022FloorH1L220

    Rule H. Res. 1372 passed House.

  10. Sep 20, 2022FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1372 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8873 with 1 hour of general debate. Resolution also provides one motion to recommit.

  11. Sep 19, 2022IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Rules Committee
  12. Sep 19, 2022IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Committee on House Administration
  13. Sep 19, 2022IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  14. Sep 19, 2022IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseSep 21, 202253

Presidential Election Reform Act

This bill revises the process of casting and counting electoral votes for presidential elections.

The bill specifies that the choice of electors must occur in accordance with the laws of the state enacted prior to election day.

Next, the bill specifies that the voting time for a state's presidential election may only be extended due to a catastrophic event. Catastrophic event means a major natural disaster, act of terrorism, or widespread power outage if it (1) prevents a substantial portion of a state's electorate from casting a ballot on election day, or (2) causes a substantial number of ballots already cast in a state to be destroyed or rendered unreadable.

Additionally, the bill requires each state's governor to certify the appointment of electors for the state. Further, the bill provides for expedited judicial review for an action brought by an aggrieved presidential or vice-presidential candidate with respect to the issuance or transmission of a certificate of appointment.

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 presiding officer (the Vice President or, in the absence of the Vice President, the President pro tempore) during the joint session shall be ministerial in nature, and (2) raises the objection threshold in Congress to at least one-third of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Introduced in HouseSep 19, 2022

Presidential Election Reform Act

This bill revises the process of casting and counting electoral votes for presidential elections.

The bill specifies that the choice of electors must occur in accordance with the laws of the state enacted prior to election day.

Next, the bill specifies that the voting time for a state's presidential election may only be extended due to a catastrophic event. Catastrophic event means a major natural disaster, act of terrorism, or widespread power outage if it (1) prevents a substantial portion of a state's electorate from casting a ballot on election day, or (2) causes a substantial number of ballots already cast in a state to be destroyed or rendered unreadable.

Additionally, the bill requires each state's governor to certify the appointment of electors for the state. Further, the bill provides for expedited judicial review for an action brought by an aggrieved presidential or vice-presidential candidate with respect to the issuance or transmission of a certificate of appointment.

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 presiding officer (the Vice President or, in the absence of the Vice President, the President pro tempore) during the joint session shall be ministerial in nature, and (2) raises the objection threshold in Congress to at least one-third of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Presidential Election Reform Act — Informed