On Monday, Congress is set to count the Electoral College votes and officially finalize Donald Trump's victory in the November presidential election. This event is overshadowed by the violent events of January 6, 2021, when a mob disrupted the certification of votes. However, significant changes introduced through the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 are intended to prevent a repeat of that chaos by clearly defining the vice president's responsibilities and minimizing opportunities to challenge election results.

The Electoral Count Reform Act builds upon the 1887 Electoral Count Act, which outlined how electoral votes are cast and counted. This revamped legislation addresses the vulnerabilities that were exploited during the 2020 election when some of Trump's supporters attempted to challenge the legitimacy of results. As a result, it aims to solidify the electoral process and ensure the will of the voters is respected, as highlighted by policy strategist Holly Idelson from the nonpartisan organization Protect Democracy.

Under the new provisions, certain processes must be followed to certify electors in each state. Specifically, each state’s governor is required to issue a certificate of ascertainment that names the electors chosen by the winning candidate within a specified timeframe. These certificates are considered conclusive by Congress regarding the appointed electors, and any disputes regarding elector appointments will be resolved by federal courts, ensuring a clear and fair framework for certification.

Moreover, the role of the vice president has been redefined. Previously during the 2020 election, the vice president encountered pressure to reject certified electoral votes, which led to confusion and challenges. The new law restricts the vice president to fulfilling only ceremonial duties during the electoral counting process and explicitly denies the power to make unilateral decisions about electoral certifications.

Additionally, the law modifies the requirement for raising objections to electoral votes. It now mandates that objections must be written and supported by at least one-fifth of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, a change aimed at preventing frivolous challenges. Only specific grounds for objections are permitted, refining the process and reinforcing the integrity of the electoral outcome.

Overall, these reforms seek to enhance the stability of electoral transitions and safeguard against potential interference, reflecting lessons learned from the tumultuous events surrounding the last presidential election.