What the Electoral Count Act is — and why some argue reforming it can protect future elections

The Electoral Count Act proved to be a vital safeguard for democracy when former President Donald Trump sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election in his favor.

Though the 19th-century law is vague, it makes clear that the vice president cannot overturn the result of a presidential election as Trump had hoped then-Vice President Mike Pence would do while presiding over the count of Electoral College votes in Congress.

“Look, I understand the disappointment many feel about the last election. I was on the ballot,” Pence said last week. “But whatever the future holds, I know we did our duty that day.”

Still, Trump’s