Kevin Kiley: “This week, I introduced, along with my colleague Jay Obernolte, as well as Representatives Calvert, Fong, Valadao, and…”

“This week, I introduced, along with my colleague Jay Obernolte, as well as Representatives Calvert, Fong, Valadao, and Issa, the Election Results Accountability Act, which will restore some measure of public trust in our elections. The problem in California, one of many problems with our elections in California, is that they take forever. Not only do voters have about a month to cast their votes, but it then takes about a month to actually count the votes, with updates being made periodically throughout what is called a monthlong canvassing period. You see results that flip. Someone is ahead on election night, but somehow, 3 weeks later, they are behind. If you are in a tight race, Mr. Speaker, you are just living and dying with each update: Am I going to be the next city council or school board member? It limits your ability to plan, Mr. Speaker, because you don't know if you are going to be coming into office or you need to find some other job or if you will be planning to run again, whatever the case may be. The voters don't know who is going to be their Representative when they should. It also just fosters a sense of distrust in the process, and it is, frankly, embarrassing to our State. Every other State manages to get its act together. Most of them can give us the results on election night. That is kind of the way it is supposed to work, Mr. Speaker. You go to the voting booth, cast your vote, and find out who won that night. Mr.…”