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Chairwoman Lee's full opening statement as prepared for delivery:
Presidential, primary, general, and special elections occur around the clock across states, requiring efficient administration to provide Americans with free and fair elections.
As a former Secretary of State, I am glad to welcome our witnesses today for an important review of our nation’s most recent Presidential election.
Voters across America went to the polls in record high numbers in 2024 to exercise one of their most fundamental rights
According to our Constitution, the states are responsible for prescribing the “Times, Places and Manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives.”
The role of Congress in elections is to provide oversight and to support states in their efforts.
The purpose of our hearing today is to revisit the 2024 election and hear from the Secretaries of State who conducted their states’ elections this past November.
Specifically, we will be looking at what went well, and what lessons we can learn from each of the Secretaries in administering free and fair elections, and how we can continue to protect and promote voter confidence.
I thank all of our witnesses for coming before the Committee today to share your knowledge and expertise on this matter.
During the 2024 election cycle, over one hundred and fifty-five million Americans cast their ballots in races for the White House, the Senate, the House of Representatives, governor’s mansions, state legislatures, state Supreme Courts, and more.
Even with record high turnout, many states were able to report their results on election night for the Presidency.
However, some states were significantly delayed in calling races for the Senate and the House of Representatives for days, and in some cases, weeks.
Something I was very proud of as Florida's former Chief Elections Official was how quickly our state was able to call elections with confidence in our results.
Undoubtedly, States with laws on the books for pre-processing of mail-in ballots, regularly enforced receipt deadlines for Election Day, and consistent post-election audits of voter rolls are in the best position to administer their elections without undue delay and to report results on election night, which helps instill voter confidence.
Many states across the country, including most of the states the Secretaries here today represent, have taken initiative in enhancing their election security laws.
When Americans feel that their vote will count, they are more inclined to take the time to cast a ballot.
Americans must know that their vote will not be misplaced, damaged, or otherwise interfered with, but instead it will be counted in a timely manner. Americans must also know that a non-citizens vote will not cancel out their legal vote.
Strengthening our voting laws increases voter confidence and leads to higher turnout in our elections.
This most recent election was proof of that.
In Alabama, Louisiana, Idaho, and Ohio, successful election integrity measures have been implemented.
Each of these states are evidence of how enhancing election integrity and security can help to manage high voter turnout, voter access, and the rapid process of ballots to certify results on Election Night.
While States are the primary authority on how elections are conducted, it is our role here in Congress to assist in any way we can.
One way we will be able to help provide resources to States is by passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or the SAVE Act.
This bill would bring critical reform to the National Voter Registration Act that would help prevent non-citizens from being added to voter rolls.
It would also provide states with free access to the DHS SAVE program and the Social Security Death Database, which will help states to remove non-citizens who may be on voter rolls.
In doing so, the SAVE Act would codify many of the measures included in President Trump's recent executive order to strengthen election security and integrity.
Running a successful and uneventful election is no easy task.
I am looking forward to learning from each of you about how you successfully ran elections in each of your States in 2024, and how Congress can assist in future elections.
Thank you for being here today, and I look forward to our conversation.
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