Bill Summary
This legislation, known as the "Determining Election Blunders And Correcting Logical Errors Act," directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study to evaluate the failures and total system breakdown of the 2020 Iowa caucuses. This study will examine the mismanagement by State party leaders, the role of top-down decision making by the Democratic National Committee, and the potential cyber vulnerabilities in the technology used for the caucuses. The study will also look at the impact of the caucuses on public trust in the Iowa election system and the potential risks of changing election technology and methods. Within 6 months of initiating the study, the Comptroller General must submit a report to the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, outlining the findings, conclusions, and recommendations, if any, from the study.
Possible Impacts
1. Limiting access to the voting process: The "Determining Election Blunders And Correcting Logical Errors Act" could potentially lead to changes in election technology and methods, making it more difficult for certain individuals to cast their vote. This could include people with disabilities, older individuals, and those in remote or rural areas who may have difficulty adapting to new voting methods.
2. Impact on trust in the election system: The report mandated by this Act could reveal widespread failures and a breakdown of the 2020 Iowa caucuses, potentially causing people to lose faith and confidence in the election system. This could lead to a decline in voter turnout and participation in future elections.
3. Political backlash and consequences: The study could potentially uncover mismanagement and top-down decision making by the Democratic National Committee, leading to political backlash and consequences for those involved. This could also lead to changes in the political landscape and potentially affect the outcome of future elections.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3268 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3268
To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a
study to evaluate the failures and total system breakdown of the 2020
Iowa caucuses, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 11, 2020
Mrs. Blackburn introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a
study to evaluate the failures and total system breakdown of the 2020
Iowa caucuses, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Determining Election Blunders And
Correcting Logical Errors Act''.
SEC. 2. GAO STUDY ON THE FAILURES AND TOTAL SYSTEM BREAKDOWN OF THE
2020 IOWA CAUCUSES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States (in this
section referred to as the ``Comptroller General'') shall initiate a
study of--
(1) mismanagement by State party leaders overseeing the
2020 Iowa caucuses;
(2) the degree to which top-down decision making by the
Democratic National Committee contributed to the failures of
the 2020 Iowa caucuses;
(3) whether actions by State party leaders and the
Democratic National Committee contributed to cyber
vulnerabilities in the technology employed for the 2020 Iowa
caucuses;
(4) the extent to which the 2020 Iowa caucuses have shaken
the public's faith and confidence in the Iowa election system;
and
(5) the potential dangers in changing election technology
and methods from existing approaches.
(b) Report.--Not later than 6 months after initiating the study
required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee
on House Administration of the House of Representatives a report on the
results of the study that sets forth the findings, conclusions, and
recommendations, if any, of the study.
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