Biden signs Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act

The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023, is signed into law by Biden on December 29, 2022. The law clarifies that the vice president's role in counting electoral votes is purely ceremonial and ministerial, not discretionary, closing the loophole Trump tried to exploit on January 6. It raises the threshold for objecting to electoral votes from 1 member of each chamber to 20% of each chamber. It clarifies that only states, not governors unilaterally, can certify electors. The law also requires courts to expedite any legal challenges to electoral certification. Biden calls it essential to ensuring January 6 can never happen again.