WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Humanity Forward is applauding a successful vote on the Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA) in the Senate, a key victory for advocates supporting efforts to protect American democracy from malfeasance in certifying the results of presidential elections.

“This is a historic victory for American democracy and for bipartisanship,” said Paolo Mastrangelo, Head of Policy and Government Affairs for Humanity Forward. “In times when the stability of our republic has been challenged, America has always persevered. This bipartisan vote for ECRA proves it will continue to do so.”

The ECRA, advanced by a bipartisan working group led by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Susan Collins (R-ME), clarifies vague language in the Electoral Count Act of 1887, the law which outlines Congressional procedures for certifying slates of electors in presidential contests. It specifies that the role of the Vice President in overseeing the certification process is purely ministerial, and lifts the threshold required to raise objections to a state’s slate of electors from just one to twenty percent of both chambers, among other key provisions.

The ECRA advanced as part of the omnibus government funding bill, which passed in the Senate Thursday afternoon. It is expected to move on to a successful vote in the House of Representatives before arriving at President Biden’s desk for signature.

“We are proud to have worked with some of the nation’s leading scholars and advocates on securing American democracy in this bill alongside the bipartisan Senate working group, so that we can protect our democratic process and strengthen Americans’ faith in the systems that govern us,” said Liam deClive-Lowe, Executive Director for Humanity Forward. “We are looking forward to the Electoral Count Reform Act reaching the President’s desk and soon after becoming law.”