Letter to the editor: Electoral Count Act

The recent efforts by a bipartisan group of senators to pass updates to the Electoral Count Act (ECA) have caught the attention of media across the country, and rightly so. The 135-year-old ECA, as it currently stands, is unconstitutional, complex, and in desperate need of reform.

The Constitution does not give Congress the right to choose this country’s president. The opportunity to select the leader of this country and the free world is a privilege reserved for the people of the United States, and it is a right that must be upheld at all costs. Unfortunately, the ECA is unclear on this front and muddies the water surrounding the role Congress can play in presidential elections. 

The confusion surrounding the ECA played a significant role in driving the unrest following the 2020 presidential election. To prevent the chaotic and detrimental events that occurred after the last election from happening again, our lawmakers in Washington must work to reach a bipartisan consensus and update the ECA. 

I was grateful to see Senator Tillis take on this issue and happy to hear he has been working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to amend this Act. I am confident that Senator Tillis will apply his experience and common-sense approach to this challenge. And I know he will push back on Democrats when necessary to ensure the updated Electoral Count Act reflects the wishes and beliefs of his constituents. I hope other members of Congress will follow suit.

Bobby Hurst

Former Fayetteville City Council member 2007 - 2017