The 1877 Act did not limit the VP’s role only to something ceremonial, but instead, established a procedure for handling competing electors from each state.
The Act established a special Electoral Commission with fifteen members, including five members from the Senate, five members from the House, and five Supreme Court Justices.
Pence could have arguably sent disputed electors to that Commission. Instead, he acted as if he had no authority to do anything.
1. The provision of the Electoral Count Act that established this “Electoral Commission.”
2. The names of the 15 people who were on this “Commission” in January 2021.