Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2024 or the COCOA Act of 2024
This act provides statutory authority for designated congressional election observers. Designated congressional election observer refers to an employee of the House of Representatives or the Senate who is designated in writing by the chair or ranking minority member of the House Committee on House Administration or the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to gather information with respect to an election, including in the event that the election is contested in the House or the Senate and for other purposes permitted by Article I, Section 5, clause 1 and Article I, Section 4, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.
The act requires states to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to clearly observe all elements of administration procedures of federal elections, including access to any area in which a ballot is cast, processed, scanned, tabulated, canvassed, recounted, audited, or certified, including during pre- and post-election procedures.
The act prohibits such an observer from handling ballots or election equipment, advocating for a position or candidate, taking any action to reduce ballot secrecy or voter privacy, taking any action to interfere with the ability of a voter to cast a ballot or an election administrator to carry out the administrator's duties, or otherwise interfering with the election administration process.
The act specifies the conduct for which designated congressional election observers may be removed by election officials. In the event of removal, the election official must, within 24 hours of the observer's removal, provide written notice to the chair and ranking minority member of the House Committee on House Administration or the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.
Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2023 or the COCOA Act of 2023
This bill provides statutory authority for designated congressional election observers. Designated congressional election observer refers to an employee of the House of Representatives who is designated in writing by the chair or ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration to gather information with respect to an election, including in the event that the election is contested in the House and for other purposes permitted by Article I, Section 5, clause 1 and Article I, Section 4, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.
The bill requires states to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to clearly observe all elements of administration procedures of federal elections, including access to any area in which a ballot is cast, processed, scanned, tabulated, canvassed, recounted, audited, or certified, including during pre- and post-election procedures.
The bill prohibits such an observer from handling ballots or election equipment, advocating for a position or candidate, taking any action to reduce ballot secrecy or voter privacy, taking any action to interfere with the ability of a voter to cast a ballot or an election administrator to carry out the administrator's duties, or otherwise interfering with the election administration process.
The bill specifies the conduct for which designated congressional election observers may be removed by election officials. In the event of removal, the election official must provide written notice to the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration.
Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2023 or the COCOA Act of 2023
This bill provides statutory authority for designated congressional election observers. Designated congressional election observer refers to an employee of the House of Representatives who is designated in writing by the chair or ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration to gather information with respect to an election, including in the event that the election is contested in the House and for other purposes permitted by Article I, Section 5, clause 1 and Article I, Section 4, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.
The bill requires states to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to clearly observe all elements of administration procedures of federal elections, including access to any area in which a ballot is cast, processed, scanned, tabulated, canvassed, recounted, audited, or certified, including during pre- and post-election procedures.
The bill prohibits such an observer from handling ballots or election equipment, advocating for a position or candidate, taking any action to reduce ballot secrecy or voter privacy, taking any action to interfere with the ability of a voter to cast a ballot or an election administrator to carry out the administrator's duties, or otherwise interfering with the election administration process.
The bill specifies the conduct for which designated congressional election observers may be removed by election officials. In the event of removal, the election official must provide written notice to the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration.
Steil moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H5791-5792)
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
H.R. 6513 - "An Act to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to confirm the requirement that States allow access to designated congressional election observers to observe the election administration procedures in congressional elections." (consideration: CR H5800)
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 449). (text: CR H5791)
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
(consideration: CR H5049-5051)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5049-5050)
(text: CR H5049-5050)