"Revisiting the 2024 Election with Secretaries of State"

Elections

2025-04-08

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The Subcommittee on Elections of the Committee on House Administration convened a hearing titled "Revisiting the 2024 Election with Secretaries of State" to review the conduct of the most recent presidential election. The session aimed to identify successful practices, lessons learned, and strategies to protect and promote voter confidence in future elections.

Election Integrity and Voter Roll Maintenance

Discussion centered on ensuring accurate voter rolls through the removal of ineligible voters, such as non-citizens and deceased individuals. Alabama's Secretary of State, Wes Allen, detailed the state's AVID system, which replaced the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and led to the removal of over half a million voters from Alabama's rolls. <citation data-start-id="9.1" data-end-id="11.2"></citation> He highlighted challenges in accessing federal databases like the Social Security Death Master Index and the Department of Homeland Security's SAVE program. <citation data-start-id="12.1" data-end-id="15.1"></citation> President Trump's executive order was mentioned as a step towards directing DHS to cooperate with states on non-citizen data. <citation data-start-id="16.1" data-end-id="17.1"></citation> Idaho's Secretary of State, Phil McGrain, also shared the success of their "Only Citizens Can Vote Act," which utilized SAVE tools and identified 34 non-citizens on their state's voter rolls. <citation data-start-id="41.9" data-end-id="41.10"></citation><citation data-id="89.2"></citation> Both secretaries advocated for greater federal investment in a dedicated database for voter integrity and improved access to federal data. <citation data-start-id="41.13" data-end-id="41.16"></citation><citation data-start-id="97.1" data-end-id="97.3"></citation> Members discussed the proposed SAVE Act, which aims to prevent non-citizens from registering to vote and provide states with access to critical databases. <citation data-start-id="1.35" data-end-id="1.37"></citation> However, concerns were raised about the accuracy of current databases, with one example citing that nearly 94% of purged voters in Alabama were eligible citizens. <citation data-start-id="68.1" data-end-id="68.2"></citation> State-to-state data sharing agreements were also emphasized as crucial for identifying and addressing duplicate registrations. <citation data-start-id="46.1" data-end-id="47.2"></citation>

Voter Access and Suppression Concerns

A significant theme was the balance between election security and voter access, with clear partisan divides. Ranking Member Terri Sewell expressed concerns about voter suppression, particularly in Alabama, citing laws that criminalize absentee ballot assistance and previous mass voter purges. <citation data-start-id="2.18" data-end-id="2.21"></citation><citation data-start-id="72.3" data-end-id="72.7"></citation> She highlighted Connecticut's contrasting approach, where Secretary Stephanie Thomas reported successful implementation of early voting and a state-level Voting Rights Act to expand access. <citation data-start-id="2.15" data-end-id="2.17"></citation><citation data-start-id="43.3" data-end-id="43.5"></citation><citation data-id="85.5"></citation> Democratic members argued that the proposed SAVE Act and President Trump's executive order would create unnecessary barriers for millions of Americans, disproportionately affecting young people, low-income individuals, and people of color. <citation data-start-id="2.10" data-end-id="2.12"></citation><citation data-start-id="4.22" data-end-id="4.24"></citation><citation data-start-id="4.36" data-end-id="4.38"></citation><citation data-start-id="143.26" data-end-id="143.30"></citation> The debate also included the acceptance of student IDs for voting, with some arguing against their exclusion as it can disenfranchise young voters. <citation data-start-id="137.3" data-end-id="137.5"></citation><citation data-start-id="143.7" data-end-id="143.14"></citation> Online voter registration, as implemented in Connecticut, was presented as a way to enhance accessibility for various demographics. <citation data-id="144.1"></citation>

Election Administration and Modernization

Secretaries shared various state-level initiatives aimed at improving election administration and efficiency. Louisiana's Secretary of State, Nancy Landry, outlined her "four Ps" of election security: people, policies, procedures, and physical security, which contributed to record-fast reporting of results in the 2024 presidential election. <citation data-start-id="22.10" data-end-id="22.16"></citation> Ohio's Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, discussed the "Ready for November Task Force," comprehensive training for election officials, and strong cybersecurity measures. <citation data-start-id="28.1" data-end-id="29.1"></citation> Several states, including Ohio and Florida, highlighted the importance of pre-processing mail-in ballots to ensure timely reporting of election results on election night, which boosts voter confidence. <citation data-start-id="1.20" data-end-id="1.23"></citation><citation data-start-id="31.1" data-end-id="31.2"></citation><citation data-start-id="54.2" data-end-id="60.1"></citation> Connecticut's Secretary Thomas emphasized their state's long-standing use of paper ballots, offline equipment, regular audits, and collaborative planning with law enforcement and election workers. <citation data-start-id="43.12" data-end-id="43.21"></citation> Congress's role in providing consistent funding and resources to states for election efforts was also underscored. <citation data-start-id="1.33" data-end-id="1.34"></citation><citation data-start-id="4.10" data-end-id="4.11"></citation><citation data-start-id="4.40" data-end-id="4.43"></citation>

Voter Confidence and Security

Protecting voter confidence was a central theme, with discussions on various security measures and challenges. Secretaries addressed strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation, including public awareness campaigns and clear communication from trusted sources. <citation data-start-id="4.7" data-end-id="4.9"></citation><citation data-start-id="43.7" data-end-id="43.8"></citation><citation data-start-id="103.2" data-end-id="103.13"></citation> Ohio's Secretary LaRose noted that photo ID requirements, which include citizenship status on state IDs, help assure voters of the integrity of the process. <citation data-start-id="34.1" data-end-id="34.2"></citation><citation data-start-id="118.15" data-end-id="119.2"></citation> Louisiana and Ohio detailed measures against ballot harvesting, such as prohibiting third parties from delivering multiple ballots unless they are family members or designated assistants for disabled voters. <citation data-start-id="50.1" data-end-id="51.3"></citation><citation data-start-id="129.2" data-end-id="132.1"></citation> The importance of signature verification for absentee ballots was also highlighted to maintain the chain of custody. <citation data-start-id="149.7" data-end-id="149.8"></citation> Several speakers acknowledged the need to protect election workers from threats and harassment. <citation data-id="4.8"></citation><citation data-start-id="2.14" data-end-id="2.15"></citation>

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting exhibited a generally partisan tone, with Democratic and Republican members expressing fundamentally different philosophies regarding election administration, particularly on the balance between voter access and election integrity. Democratic members consistently raised concerns about measures they viewed as voter suppression, such as the SAVE Act and certain state-level voter purging efforts. <citation data-start-id="2.8" data-end-id="2.10"></citation><citation data-start-id="4.22" data-end-id="4.24"></citation><citation data-start-id="68.1" data-end-id="68.2"></citation> In contrast, Republican members and several Secretaries of State emphasized the importance of strict election integrity measures to bolster voter confidence and prevent non-citizen voting. <citation data-start-id="1.28" data-end-id="1.30"></citation><citation data-id="19.1"></citation><citation data-start-id="93.1" data-end-id="93.4"></citation> Despite these clear divisions, the discussions were largely informative, with the Secretaries of State providing detailed accounts of their states' successful practices and ongoing challenges. There were moments of sharp disagreement, particularly during questioning regarding the postmark deadline for ballots and the validity of student IDs. <citation data-start-id="110.1" data-end-id="110.9"></citation><citation data-start-id="143.7" data-end-id="143.14"></citation> However, the overall atmosphere maintained a level of respectful engagement among participants.

Participants

Transcript

The Subcommittee on Elections of the Committee on House Administration will come to order.  The title of today's hearing is Revisiting the 2024 Election with Secretaries of State.  I note that a quorum is present.  Without objection, the chair may declare a recess at any time.  We will do opening statements here today and then recess for the floor vote.  We will quickly reconvene after the vote and begin with witness testimony.   Also, without objection, the hearing record will remain open for five legislative days, so members may submit any materials they wish to be included therein.  Thank you, Ranking Member Sewell, members of the committee, and our witnesses for participating in today's hearing.   Recent elections have produced record high turnout, and in turn, those elections become the most challenging for elections officials to administrate and process.  Presidential, primary, general, and special elections occur around the clock across states, requiring efficient administration to provide Americans with free and fair elections.  As a former Secretary of State, I am glad to welcome our witnesses today   for an important review of our nation's most recent presidential election.  Voters across America went to the polls in record high numbers in 2024 to exercise one of their most fundamental rights.  According to our Constitution, the states are responsible for prescribing the times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives.  The role of Congress in elections is to provide oversight and to support states in those efforts.   The purpose of our hearing today is to revisit the 2024 election and hear from Secretaries of State who conducted their state's elections this past November.  Specifically, we will be looking at what went well and what lessons we can learn from each of the Secretaries in administering free and fair elections and how we can continue to protect and promote voter confidence.   I thank all of our witnesses for coming before the committee today to share your knowledge and expertise on this matter.
During the 2024 election cycle, over 155 million Americans cast their ballots in races for the White House, the Senate, the House of Representatives, governors' mansions, state legislatures, state Supreme Courts, and more.   Even with record high turnout, many states were able to report their results on election night for the presidency.  However, some states were significantly delayed in calling races for the Senate and the House of Representatives for days, and in some cases, weeks.  Something I was very proud of as Florida's former chief elections official was how quickly our state was able to call elections with confidence in our results.   Undoubtedly, states with laws on the books for pre-processing of mail-in ballots, regularly enforced deadlines for receipt on election day, and consistent post-election audits of voter rolls are in the best position to administer their elections without undue delay and to report results on election night, which helps instill voter confidence.  Many states across the country   including most of the states the secretaries here today represent, have taken initiative in enhancing their election security laws.  When Americans feel their vote will count, they are more inclined to take the time to cast a ballot.  Americans must know that their vote will not be misplaced, damaged, or otherwise interfered with, but instead it will be counted in a timely manner.  Americans must also know that non-citizens' votes will not cancel out a legal vote.   Strengthening our voting laws increases voter confidence and leads to higher turnout in our elections.  This most recent election was proof of that.  In Alabama, Louisiana, Idaho, and Ohio, successful election integrity measures have been implemented.   Each of these states are evidence of how enhancing election integrity and security can help to manage high voter turnout, voter access, and the rapid process of ballots to certify results on election night.  While states are the primary authority on how elections are conducted, it is our role here in Congress to assist in any way that we can.
One way we will be able to help provide resources to states   is by passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or the SAVE Act.  This bill would bring critical reform to the National Voter Registration Act that would help prevent non-citizens from being added to voter rolls.  It would also provide states with free access to the DHS SAVE program and the Social Security death database, which will help states remove non-citizens or deceased persons who should not be on their voter rolls.   In doing so, the SAVE Act would codify many of the measures included in President Trump's recent executive order to strengthen election integrity and security.  Running a successful and uneventful election is no easy task.  I am looking forward to learning from each of you about how you successfully ran elections in each of your states in 2024 and how Congress can assist in future elections.   Thank you for being here today, and I look forward to our conversation.  With that, I yield to Ranking Member Sewell for an opening statement.
Good afternoon, everyone.  As a ranking member of the Election Subcommittee and as a representative of Alabama's Civil Rights District, there is nothing more important to me than ensuring that every American can cast their ballot.  It was in my hometown of Selma, Alabama, 60 years ago, where John Lewis and hundreds of foot soldiers   were bludgeoned on the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the equal right of all Americans to vote.  However, for the past decade, extremists have fought to undo the hard-won progress that the foot soldiers sought to achieve.  Just last year, lawmakers in 40 states introduced 317 bills to eradicate new barriers to the ballot box.  Since this defeat,   Since his defeat in the 2020 election, Donald Trump and his Republican allies have pushed the big lie of a stolen election.

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