The Electoral Count Act was created to provide clarity around contesting election results. Lawmakers and experts say it needs a second look.
- The Electoral Count Act was created in 1887 as a result of the bitterly contested election of 1876
- It came into play on Jan. 6, 2021, when Republicans contested the electoral votes in two states: Arizona and Pennsylvania.
- Some in Congress have argued the law is too ambiguous and needs to be updated.
WASHINGTON – When a mob breached the U.S. Capitol one year ago, part of its goal was to pressure former Vice President Mike Pence to not affirm the election that found Joe Biden to be the victor.
The vice president has a role of presiding over the Senate, which includes the obligation of declaring during a joint session of Congress the next president-elect. Despite pressure from former President Donald Trump and the violence that ensued on Jan. 6, 2021, Pence followed precedent and affirmed Biden's win.
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