01.06.21

Hoeven Joins Scott in Introducing Legislation Establishing Election Integrity Commission

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today joined Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) in introducing legislation establishing a committee to examine the integrity of the November 2020 election and make recommendations to state legislatures to improve the security, integrity and administration of federal elections. Senator Kevin Cramer also helped introduce the bill. 

“After the 2020 election, too many North Dakotans and Americans have concerns about irregularities in the presidential election. This legislation will ensure that we examine the 2020 election and make necessary reforms to ensure the integrity and security of the vote so the American people can have confidence in our election system,” said Hoeven.

Background

  • The Committee will be composed of 18 members; 9 appointed by Republican leaders and 9 appointed by Democrat leaders. 
  • The Committee will study:
    • the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on the election;
    • the election practices adopted in response to the COVID–19 pandemic;
    • practices regarding mail-in ballots, absentee ballots and vote-by-mail procedures;
    • practices that would have allowed improper or fraudulent voter registration or votes;
    • the scope of any improper or fraudulent voter registration or votes;
    • and practices that would bolster public confidence in the integrity of future general elections.
  • The Advisory Committee will submit two reports:
    • The initial report will include precinct-by-precinct data highlighting the number and incidence of any improper and fraudulent voter registrations and improper and fraudulent votes that were cast in the election.
    • The final report will include recommendations on best practices that each level of local and State Government should adopt for:
      • administering elections for federal office during a pandemic and other national emergencies;
      • mitigating fraud and increasing the integrity and security of mail-in ballots, absentee ballots and vote-by-mail procedures; and
      • preventing improper or fraudulent votes from being cast and stopping improper voters from being registered. 

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