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Presidential Election Reform Act

USA117th CongressHR-8873| House 
| Updated: 9/22/2022
Zoe Lofgren

Zoe Lofgren

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (1)
Liz Cheney (Republican)

Committee on House Administration, Rules Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

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Timeline
Sep 19, 2022
Introduced in House
Sep 19, 2022
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.
Sep 20, 2022
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.
Sep 21, 2022
Rule H. Res. 1372 passed House.
Sep 21, 2022
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1372. (consideration: CR H8032-8048)
Sep 21, 2022
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8873 with 1 hour of general debate. Resolution also provides one motion to recommit.
Sep 21, 2022
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8873.
Sep 21, 2022
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Sep 21, 2022
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 229 - 203 (Roll No. 449). (text: CR H8032-8036)
View Vote
Sep 21, 2022
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 22, 2022
Received in the Senate.
  • September 19, 2022
    Introduced in House


  • September 19, 2022
    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.


  • September 20, 2022
    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.


  • September 21, 2022
    Rule H. Res. 1372 passed House.


  • September 21, 2022
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1372. (consideration: CR H8032-8048)


  • September 21, 2022
    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8873 with 1 hour of general debate. Resolution also provides one motion to recommit.


  • September 21, 2022
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8873.


  • September 21, 2022
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.


  • September 21, 2022
    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 229 - 203 (Roll No. 449). (text: CR H8032-8036)
    View Vote


  • September 21, 2022
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • September 22, 2022
    Received in the Senate.

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HRES 117-1372: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8873) to amend title 3, United States Code, to reform the process for the counting of electoral votes, and for other purposes.
Civil actions and liabilityCongressional officers and employeesCongressional operations and organizationCongressional oversightConstitution and constitutional amendmentsElections, voting, political campaign regulationFederal district courtsFederal officialsGovernment information and archivesIntergovernmental relationsLegislative rules and procedureNatural disastersPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsState and local government operationsSupreme CourtTerrorismVoting rights

Presidential Election Reform Act

USA117th CongressHR-8873| House 
| Updated: 9/22/2022
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Sep 19, 2022
Introduced in House
Sep 19, 2022
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.
Sep 20, 2022
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.
Sep 21, 2022
Rule H. Res. 1372 passed House.
Sep 21, 2022
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1372. (consideration: CR H8032-8048)
Sep 21, 2022
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8873 with 1 hour of general debate. Resolution also provides one motion to recommit.
Sep 21, 2022
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8873.
Sep 21, 2022
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Sep 21, 2022
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 229 - 203 (Roll No. 449). (text: CR H8032-8036)
View Vote
Sep 21, 2022
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 22, 2022
Received in the Senate.
  • September 19, 2022
    Introduced in House


  • September 19, 2022
    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.


  • September 20, 2022
    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.


  • September 21, 2022
    Rule H. Res. 1372 passed House.


  • September 21, 2022
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1372. (consideration: CR H8032-8048)


  • September 21, 2022
    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8873 with 1 hour of general debate. Resolution also provides one motion to recommit.


  • September 21, 2022
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8873.


  • September 21, 2022
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.


  • September 21, 2022
    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 229 - 203 (Roll No. 449). (text: CR H8032-8036)
    View Vote


  • September 21, 2022
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • September 22, 2022
    Received in the Senate.
Zoe Lofgren

Zoe Lofgren

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (1)
Liz Cheney (Republican)

Committee on House Administration, Rules Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HRES 117-1372: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8873) to amend title 3, United States Code, to reform the process for the counting of electoral votes, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Civil actions and liabilityCongressional officers and employeesCongressional operations and organizationCongressional oversightConstitution and constitutional amendmentsElections, voting, political campaign regulationFederal district courtsFederal officialsGovernment information and archivesIntergovernmental relationsLegislative rules and procedureNatural disastersPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsState and local government operationsSupreme CourtTerrorismVoting rights