Tampa Republic

Today in Washington, D.C., Chairwoman Laurel Lee from Florida opened a hearing of the Subcommittee on Elections, focusing on the 2024 Election with input from Secretaries of State.

She expressed gratitude towards Ranking Member Sewell, committee members, and witnesses for participating. Lee highlighted the record-high turnout in recent elections, which has presented challenges to election officials in managing and processing the elections.

Lee acknowledged the constitutional responsibility of states to manage the "Times, Places and Manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives" and noted that Congress's role is to provide oversight and support to states. The hearing aimed to review the 2024 election, understanding what went well, and what lessons can be learned to ensure continued voter confidence.

Lee noted that 155 million Americans cast ballots across a variety of elections in 2024, and although many states reported presidential election results on election night, delays occurred in some states for Senate and House of Representatives races. She praised Florida's efficiency in administering elections and attributed this to laws regarding pre-processing of mail-in ballots and consistent post-election audits.

According to Lee, enhancing election laws and security is vital to prevent any interference with votes. She emphasized that strengthened voting laws bolster voter confidence and turnouts. She also referenced successful election integrity measures in states like Alabama, Louisiana, Idaho, and Ohio.

Lee mentioned the role of Congress in assisting states, particularly through the proposed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. This act aims to reform the National Voter Registration Act, preventing noncitizens from being added to voter rolls. It would also provide states with free access to tools to help remove ineligible voters from rolls, aligning with measures from a recent executive order by President Trump.

Lee concluded by expressing eagerness to learn from the experiences of the Secretaries of State and offered Congress's assistance in future elections.