Voices on Both Sides Support the Bipartisan Electoral Reform Deal. Can It Pass?

On Wednesday, Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) unveiled a new bipartisan deal to reform the Electoral Count Act to help prevent a repeat of 2020’s election disputes.

The legislation would raise the bar for Congressional election objections, clarify the Vice President’s role in election certification, increase penalties for intimidating election officials, and more. The deal was struck by 9 Republicans and 7 Democrats, meaning the group will need to gain support from additional members of both parties in order to reach the 60-vote filibuster threshold. 

Several senators appeared open to the deal, multiple outlets reported. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he was “sympathetic” to the group’s aims. While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer did not appear to comment following the deal’s announcement, aides said earlier this year that he was “not opposed” to the group’s work. However, it was unclear whether either party in the House would support the deal.

Voices across the spectrum responded favorably to the bipartisan deal but agreed that its chances of passing were unclear. Many voices approved of the deal but said it wasn’t “perfect.” Some voices from the right praised the deal for omitting elements of earlier Democratic election reform bills, and some on the left said the legislation was weakened by its limited scope.