Democrats skeptical of McConnell’s election law offer

Democrats are voicing skepticism over Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell’s (Ky.) openness to discussing election law changes, warning that he’s trying to distract from filibuster reform efforts.

McConnell’s decision to open the door this week to reforming an 1887 Electoral College law comes as Democrats are trying to cut a deal with Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) on broader voting rights reforms that will require them to change the legislative filibuster.

Though top Republicans say there’s genuine interest within the conference for looking at the law — which outlines how Congress formally counts the Electoral College results, like it did on Jan. 6 — the timing immediately sent up red flags for top Democrats and activists.