Panhandle Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) released the following statement after introducing the District of Columbia Ballot Security Act, legislation included in House Republicans’ comprehensive election integrity package, the American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act:

 

“Every American’s vote is sacred. When we allow bad policy to erode trust in elections, our democracy is threatened.  The ACE Act, which I have proudly cosponsored, is the largest election reform package in decades, including over fifty unique bills such as my own District of Columbia Ballot Security Act. This comprehensive legislation works to end failing election policies and bolster confidence in American elections by promoting voter ID requirements, discouraging ballot harvesting, prohibiting non-citizens from voting in federal elections, and much more. It also preserves the principle of federalism in the areas of elections by not treading on the rights of states to govern election integrity.”

 

Background on the American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act

To ensure that the federal government doesn’t possess unchecked control, the Founding Father’s gave states the authority to administer their own elections in Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution. While it rightly has a limited role in this process, Congress does have an obligation to conduct oversight and ensure that states are equipped with needed resources and support as they work to conduct their own elections.

 

The ACE Act is the key Republican election integrity bill—focusing on the importance of strong election integrity reforms that meet the moment by restoring election integrity while respecting the Constitution, federalism, and conservative principles. Further, the ACE Act continues to address disappointing challenges faced by military and overseas voters and makes the biggest legislative effort in a generation to protect political speech in a climate where many are attempting to silence opposing voices.

 

To learn more about the American Confidence in Elections Act introduced by Chairman Bryan Steil, please click HERE. The full text is also available by clicking HERE.

 

Background on the District of Columbia Ballot Security Act

Uniquely, Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the task of overseeing the administration of Washington, D.C. – including setting its elections standards. After years of mismanagement that have left Washington D.C.’s election unsecure. Using Congress’s Constitutional authority, the ACE Act would work to repair Washington, D.C.’s electoral process and create a model to serve as an example to the entire country.

 

The ACE Act includes Congressman Moran’s District of Columbia Ballot Security Act, to address Washington, D.C.’s concerning practice of leaving ballot drop boxes unsecured and open for fraud and abuse. The District of Columbia Ballot Security Act requires D.C. ballot drop boxes to be located in a D.C. government building and secured by 24-hour surveillance. Additionally, the legislation requires ballots to be collected each day during an election.

Original source can be found here.