Rep. Leger Fernández Votes for Historic Bipartisan Presidential Election Reform Act

Statement

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández voted to protect free and fair elections, the rule of law, and our nation's Constitution.

"I voted to safeguard a simple--yet sacred-- pillar of our democracy: The candidate who wins the election takes office. I want to make sure political violence, threats, intimidation, and lies don't undermine over two hundred years of democratic tradition in this country," said Rep. Leger Fernández. "The Presidential Election Reform Act to fulfill a hopeful future for our country. American democracy is the best answer to fulfilling our constitution's promise of inclusion to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, creed or economic circumstance. A truly inclusive democracy that helps everyone thrive is a constitutional promise we can and must make a reality."

This legislation will reform the Electoral Count Act to ensure that Congress counts the votes as required by the Constitution. This bill takes four urgent and necessary steps:

Reaffirms the Vice President's ministerial authority at the electoral count
Limits the types of objections that can be raised during certification, adhering to only those outlined in the Constitution. All objections would require one-third of each chamber to be entertained -- and a majority to be sustained
Requires governors to transmit lawful election results to Congress in a timely fashion -- or be compelled to do so by a federal court. Under this proposal, no rogue Governor can unlawfully subvert the will of the people
Requires states to select electors pursuant to state laws as they exist on Election Day
Praise for this bipartisan legislation include retired federal Judge Michael Luttig, one of the nation's most prominent and conservative judges, who described the Presidential Election Reform Act as "masterfully drafted", as well as Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin, who called the legislation "an inspired bit of lawmaking."

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