The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #11 on Resolution D043 (Abolish or Modernize the Electoral Count Act of 1887) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D043)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church condemn the insurrection of January 6, 2021, the deadly assault on the United States Capitol which attempted to overturn the result of the 2020 Presidential Election, taking advantage of ambiguities in the Electoral Count Act of 1887; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention call for Congress to repeal the Electoral Count Act of 1887, or to update the Electoral Count Act to guard against crises during future Presidential Elections, rectifying several deficiencies in the Electoral Count Act’s 130-year-old text, including how it handles: (1) election timing, (2) state determinations, (3) the Vice President’s role, (4) objections, and (5) the dispute resolution process ; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention support the adoption by all states of the National Popular Vote Compact as one acceptable way to achieve the goal of the direct popular vote for election of the president until the abolition of the Electoral College is accomplished.; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention direct, consistent with established policies and procedures, that the Executive Council refer this Resolution to the Office of Government Relations, so that it may take all actions necessary to accomplish the intentions and purposes of this Resolution.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church condemn the insurrection of January 6, 2021, the deadly assault on the United States Capitol which attempted to overturn the result of the 2020 Presidential Election, taking advantage of ambiguities in the Electoral Count Act of 1887; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention call for Congress to update or reform repeal the Electoral Count Act of 1887, or to update the Electoral Count Act to guard against crises during future Presidential Elections, rectifying several deficiencies in the Electoral Count Act’s 130-year-old text, including how it handles: (1) election timing, (2) state determinations, (3) the Vice President’s role, (4) objections, and (5) the dispute resolution process ; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention support the adoption by all states of the National Popular Vote Compact as one acceptable way to achieve the goal of the direct popular vote for election of the president until the abolition of the Electoral College is accomplished; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention direct, consistent with established policies and procedures, that the Executive Council refer this Resolution to the Office of Government Relations, so that it may take all actions necessary to accomplish the intentions and purposes of this Resolution.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #103)