Subcommittee on Elections Hearing: “Election Observation: Best Practices and Congress’s Role”

The Committee on House Administration's Subcommittee on Elections held a hearing on July 16, 2026, titled "Election Observation: Best Practices and Congress's Role." The hearing focused on the importance of the congressional election observer program, which supports transparency and accountability in federal elections by deploying bipartisan observers to monitor election processes. Witnesses, including election officials and a legislative attorney, discussed best practices for observer training, state-level policies, and the legal framework established by the Confirmation of Congressional Observer Access Act (COCOA) of 2024. The hearing emphasized the constitutional authority of Congress to oversee federal elections and resolve contested races, the need for bipartisan and nonpartisan administration of the observer program, and concerns about recent partisan misuse of the program. The discussion also highlighted the role of federal support and clear state policies in facilitating effective election observation and maintaining public trust in election integrity.