With ten days to go before the election, my anxiety is at an all time high. And judging by the conversations happening with friends and strangers everyday, it sounds like I'm not the only one (yay, solidarity?). But did you know that the MSNBC website just launched a five-part series called “Protecting the Election”? MSNBC has teamed up with election law and policy experts to dive into election security as we head into the final days. And given that that one Florida Man and his allies haven’t exactly let go of 2020, the timing couldn’t be better.
This week, Andy Craig, fellow at the Institute for Humane Studies, published this article about the new kid on the block this year: the 2022 Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA). This update puts some modern safeguards in place, smoothing out the wrinkles from the dusty old 1887 law that didn't quite stand up to the 2020 chaos. The big test for ECRA will be in 2024, where it’ll face both expected and unexpected hurdles—but at least now we have a clearer rulebook.
One major question answered by ECRA? What actually counts as “Election Day.” It’s still the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, but if a natural disaster or big emergency happens, voting can be extended (yes, think hurricanes and “force majeure” events). The law sets strict guidelines, ruling out any room for disputes about late election changes or for anyone trying to overturn popular votes.
Next up, how are votes counted and certified? Instead of dragging things out with endless court rounds, ECRA introduces a special three-judge panel for resolving issues swiftly and directly—no multi-court detours. And by December 11, each state’s Electoral College picks are finalized, leading to the big day on December 17, when electors cast the votes that officially call the election.
So, if you’re curious about what keeps our election process stable, or just want peace of mind that your vote will count without any sneaky meddling, keep an eye on this series. The countdown to 2024 might get wild, but with ECRA in place, there’s a lot less wiggle room for chaos.