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If the Electoral College is 270-270

S

saturneptune

New Member
It is very possible, depending on events and trends between now and November, for the electoral college to be deadlocked 270-270, by several combination of states.

The Presidental election goes to the House. Each state has one vote, so the represenatives from Wyoming, and North Dakota, for example, have one of 50 votes. In California, 53 represenatives would have one vote.

The Vice Presidental election goes to the Senate. Each Senator has one vote.

It is possible to have a President and Vice-President from different parties. What a hoot that would be. A Romney-Biden ticket.

Also, remember, the new Congress starting in early January would decide the issue.

Any comments? Does anyone know what would happen if the House deadlocked 25-25, or the Senate 50-50. Who would be the President if the issue was not decided by January 20?
 
K

ktn4eg

New Member
kyredneck said:
Might be a good thing. :)
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What if it turned out the other way around....Obama-???? [Whoever Romney picked as his running mate] :smilewinkgrin:

For one thing, the VP would become President of the Senate, which, if the Senate still remained in the hands of the Dumbacrats, might possibly move some legislation along.

OTOH, perish the thought, there might be an uptick in assassination attempts on the President. :tear:
 
Salty

Salty

20,000 Posts Club
Administrator
saturneptune said:
...The Vice Presidental election goes to the Senate. Each Senator has one vote. ...


...Any comments? Does anyone know what would happen if the House deadlocked 25-25, or the Senate 50-50. Who would be the President if the issue was not decided by January 20?
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The Veep (currently Biden) as President of the Senate would cast the deciding vote (which would be himself *) and then he would become the Acting President.

* Cant you just see Biden voting for Sara Palin :laugh:
 
A

Alcott

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
ktn4eg said:
For one thing, the VP would become President of the Senate, which, if the Senate still remained in the hands of the Dumbacrats, might possibly move some legislation along.
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The VP is the 'president of the Senate.' But that's a role he seldom does; usually just if it's major legislation or ratificiation that is expected to be close.

OTOH, perish the thought, there might be an uptick in assassination attempts on the President. :tear:
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I really don't think so. In fact, has there ever been an assassination attempt of a U.S. President in which the motive was to get the VP into the office? As far as I know, it's been either fanatical dislike of the president or compulsion to do an act with worldwide consequences-- but both without regard to who would assume office next.
 
InTheLight

InTheLight

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
The electoral college meets in mid-December. Between election day and that meeting there will be serious political pressure put on an elector to defect or be 'faithless.'

But let's say it's still a tie after the electoral college meets. Then each state delegation casts votes for the President. In Minnesota there are 10 members of the House--6 Dems and 4 Rep. Minnesota's congresspeople would vote 6-4 in favor of Obama, and Obama would receive 1 vote from Minnesota. This same process would be repeated for every state. If a state's congressional members vote to a deadlock, that state's 1 vote is not counted. There must be at least 34 states (2/3's of the states) present to vote. Whichever candidate receives 26 state's votes (simple majority) is declared the President. If no one gets at least 26 state's votes the process is repeated. The 1800 election required 36 ballots over 6 days to decide a winner.

In the Senate each Senator gets one vote. At least 67 Senators must be present to have a vote. Whichever candidate receives at least 51 votes is declared the Vice President.

If a President hasn't been selected by January 20th, the Senate votes for one of the Vice Presidential candidates to become acting President until the House determines the President. But what if the Senate's vote for acting President is a tie? Then the issue is sent to both chambers of Congress and they have to vote for an acting President. (20th amendment, article 3)
 
S

saturneptune

New Member
InTheLight said:
The electoral college meets in mid-December. Between election day and that meeting there will be serious political pressure put on an elector to defect or be 'faithless.'

But let's say it's still a tie after the electoral college meets. Then each state delegation casts votes for the President. In Minnesota there are 10 members of the House--6 Dems and 4 Rep. Minnesota's congresspeople would vote 6-4 in favor of Obama, and Obama would receive 1 vote from Minnesota. This same process would be repeated for every state. If a state's congressional members vote to a deadlock, that state's 1 vote is not counted. There must be at least 34 states (2/3's of the states) present to vote. Whichever candidate receives 26 state's votes (simple majority) is declared the President. If no one gets at least 26 state's votes the process is repeated. The 1800 election required 36 ballots over 6 days to decide a winner.

In the Senate each Senator gets one vote. At least 67 Senators must be present to have a vote. Whichever candidate receives at least 51 votes is declared the Vice President.

If a President hasn't been selected by January 20th, the Senate votes for one of the Vice Presidential candidates to become acting President until the House determines the President. But what if the Senate's vote for acting President is a tie? Then the issue is sent to both chambers of Congress and they have to vote for an acting President. (20th amendment, article 3)
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You know, for as many times as I have read about that process, I never picked up on the last sentence. At that point, both Houses pick a Vice President to be acting President, then, after that, the House tries to choose a President again. Amazing stuff.
 
InTheLight

InTheLight

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
C4K said:
Just out of curiosity have anyone figured out a scenario where 269-269 is a possibility?
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InTheLight

InTheLight

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
C4K said:
Thanks. That looks like a possibility
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You can go to that website and play around with making states red or blue and work out a bunch of different scenarios. I think the election will come down to whomever carries Florida.
 
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