All Roll Calls
Yes: 413 • No: 1
118-hr-6513118th Congress
COCOA Act of 2024
Sponsored By: Representative Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]
Became Law
Summary
Congressional election observers are guaranteed access to federal election administration across every State and territory. The law creates a clear right for designated House and Senate observers to watch polling, processing, tabulation, canvassing, recounts, audits, and certification steps while setting firm rules for observer conduct and removal.
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- Voters and ballot privacy are protected. Observers may not handle ballots or equipment, advocate for candidates, reduce ballot secrecy, or interfere with a voter’s ability to cast a ballot.
- State and local election officials must give observers full access for federal elections and can remove an observer for intimidation, deceptive practices prohibited by law, or disruption. Officials must notify the relevant congressional committee chair and ranking member within 24 hours and provide written justification.
- Congressional delegations gain a defined process and scope for who may observe. Observers are designated in writing by committee chairs or ranking members and may ask questions and be replaced if removed.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Congressional observers can watch federal elections
The law lets Congress send designated election observers and requires every State and territory to give them full access to federal election procedures, before and after Election Day. Observers must be House or Senate employees named in writing by the House Administration or Senate Rules chair or ranking member. They may watch any place where ballots are cast, processed, scanned, counted, canvassed, recounted, audited, or certified, and may ask questions of officials. They cannot touch ballots or equipment, campaign, reduce ballot secrecy or voter privacy, block voters, or interfere with workers. Election officials can remove an observer for intimidation, illegal deceptive acts, or disruption—but mere presence is not enough; officials must notify the committees in writing within 24 hours, and a replacement may be sent. These access rules are enforceable under the Help America Vote Act.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]
OH • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
NY • D
Sponsored 11/30/2023
Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1]
WI • R
Sponsored 11/30/2023
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 9/25/2024
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment
Yes: 413 • No: 1