Congress Unites Over Mysterious COCOA Act for Election Integrity

U.S. Capitol building with clear blue sky background.

Congress has passed the COCOA Act with overwhelming bipartisan support, ensuring greater election transparency.

At a Glance

Congress passes the Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act (COCOA) of 2024.
The House approved it by a 413–1 vote; the Senate granted unanimous consent.
Observers appointed by Congress to monitor all stages of federal elections.
Observers must follow strict non-interference regulations.

Legislative Background and Support

In a historic bipartisan achievement, Congress has passed the Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2024, commonly known as the COCOA Act. The House of Representatives passed the bill with a resounding 413–1 vote, while the Senate gave unanimous consent. The act aims to enhance transparency and accountability in federal elections by allowing congressional observers to monitor all stages of the electoral process. These observers will be appointed by the administrative committees of both the House and the Senate.

The COCOA Act stipulates that states must permit these congressional observers to oversee polling, ballot counting, and result certification. The act includes stringent regulations to ensure that the observers do not interfere with ballots or election equipment. These measures are intended to increase public confidence in the electoral process while safeguarding its integrity.

🚨 The House and Senate have PASSED the Confirmation of Congressional Observer Access (COCOA) Act! The bill now heads to @POTUS desk.

Chairman @RepBryanSteil spoke on this important measure today. pic.twitter.com/pLvony3BxO

— House Admin. Committee GOP (@HouseAdmin) September 25, 2024

Details and Implementation

The COCOA Act amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Observers will have the authority to witness every aspect of the election process, from the casting of votes to the final certification of results. While they have broad oversight capabilities, they are explicitly prohibited from handling ballots or any election-related equipment.

The bill also sets forth clear guidelines for the conduct and potential removal of observers. If an observer engages in intimidation or fraudulent activities, protocols are in place for their immediate removal. This ensures a balance between accountability and the prevention of undue influence on the voting process.

Financial Impact and Next Steps

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the COCOA Act is not expected to increase the number of congressional observers. Furthermore, the CBO estimates that the implementation of the act would have no federal cost. Since all states already permit election observers, the cost of adhering to this mandate is expected to be minimal and will not exceed the intergovernmental threshold established in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Having passed the Senate with amendments on September 24, 2024, the bill now awaits review by the House for approval of these changes. Following House approval, the final step would be the President’s signature to enact the bill into law. Though the current prognosis is a 30% chance of enactment, the overwhelming bipartisan support adds a layer of optimism.