Castro, Meadows Reintroduce Election Security and Democracy Promotion Legislation
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and a member of the House Foreign Affairs, House Intelligence, and House Education and Labor Committees, and Congressman Mark Meadows (NC-11), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, today reintroduced the Global Electoral Exchange Act (H.R.753). This bipartisan measure would authorize the Secretary of State to administer exchange programs for electoral authorities with overseas partners, promote best election security practices, and strengthen democratic institutions abroad.
“We’ve seen in all pockets of the world how insecure electoral mechanisms can lead to deadly violence and tainted election results. That’s why the United States should assist democracies abroad in designing and preserving strong electoral institutions. This supports their quest for an inclusive society based on the principles of democracy,” said Chairman Castro. “The Global Electoral Exchange Act seeks to help the United States share our best election security practices abroad, which in turn will strengthen democracy worldwide and advance bipartisan U.S. national security interests abroad. Free and fair elections indicate democracy health, and I’m glad to lead this legislative effort that will help improve global security and promote democratic institutions.”
“Fair, trustworthy, and accountable elections are critical to defending democracy among our international partners—and they are fundamental to who we are as a nation,” said Rep. Meadows. “America is equipped with the needed expertise to bolster good governance and freedom in the world’s democracies, making the world safer for Americans and bolstering our national security. Under this bipartisan bill, American election administrators and experts will be better able to share sound election administration practices abroad, helping to prevent the rampant violence that all too often follows poorly-run, unfree elections. Anything we as a nation can do to promote healthy and secure election practices in other countries is a welcome development, and I want to thank Rep. Castro of Texas for his work on this critical initiative.
Background: This legislation seeks to establish a Global Electoral Exchange Program that would promote international exchanges of best election practices on cybersecurity, transmitting results, data transparency, election dispute resolution, eliminating any discriminatory practices, and making voter education information and polling places easily accessible. The Global Electoral Exchange Act would require the U.S. Department of State to brief the House and Senate on status of activities as well as provide a summary of all exchanges. You can read more about the legislation here.
# # #