This is where the convoluted system our founders instituted keeps us from descending into anarchy.
People in each state vote for a slate of Electors, who are then bound to vote for the candidate that won in that state, and then the new Congress counts the votes. If a candidate dies before taking office, there are various opportunities for humans (State legislators, electors, Congress) to step in and make a substitution that reflects the will of the people.
And yes, even in states run by Democrats, the legislature and/or electors would probably act to install Vance if Trump incurs God’s Ultimate Veto, because they respect the will of the people.
The only tricky part comes if Trump bites it after EC votes are cast, but before Congress counts them. Members might have a legitimate beef about accepting votes for a deceased candidate. They will probably do it, though. Then we would have to see what happens on inauguration day when the new President is unavailable to serve. In all likelihood, we end up with President Vance anyway.
You realize that you just got put on an FBI list, right?
Anyway, assuming those electors get rejected during the certification process (and they should, at that point, as neither candidate would be able to serve), then Congress gets to choose, with the House choosing the President and the Senate choosing the VP. They can choose whoever they want. But one twist is that each State delegation gets one vote, so California’s 52 Reps get the same vote as Wyoming’s lone rep. The math looks like even if Democrats somehow take control of the House, they may not have enough State delegations to matter in a contingent election.
If enough states are tied that the Presidential vote fails (which is unlikely afaik), the VP vote in the Senate is a straight vote and that person would likely end up President anyway.
If the unfortunate event happens between Jan 6 and Jan 20, and both men are selected but neither can serve, I imagine it would be treated like both positions are vacant at the same time, and the Speaker of the House becomes President on Jan 20
Still the same, electoral college are the ones voting for the president, not the people, the latter only elect the electors, not the president. GOP will likely produce a new candidate and electors will decide between them and Harris and most likely elect the republican nominee. Theoretically the electoral college could still vote for Harris, some states can have Faithless Electors.
This is where the convoluted system our founders instituted keeps us from descending into anarchy.
People in each state vote for a slate of Electors, who are then bound to vote for the candidate that won in that state, and then the new Congress counts the votes. If a candidate dies before taking office, there are various opportunities for humans (State legislators, electors, Congress) to step in and make a substitution that reflects the will of the people.
And yes, even in states run by Democrats, the legislature and/or electors would probably act to install Vance if Trump incurs God’s Ultimate Veto, because they respect the will of the people.
The only tricky part comes if Trump bites it after EC votes are cast, but before Congress counts them. Members might have a legitimate beef about accepting votes for a deceased candidate. They will probably do it, though. Then we would have to see what happens on inauguration day when the new President is unavailable to serve. In all likelihood, we end up with President Vance anyway.
That’s helpful, thank you.
What if they both (Trump and Vance) die before the electoral college vote?
You realize that you just got put on an FBI list, right?
Anyway, assuming those electors get rejected during the certification process (and they should, at that point, as neither candidate would be able to serve), then Congress gets to choose, with the House choosing the President and the Senate choosing the VP. They can choose whoever they want. But one twist is that each State delegation gets one vote, so California’s 52 Reps get the same vote as Wyoming’s lone rep. The math looks like even if Democrats somehow take control of the House, they may not have enough State delegations to matter in a contingent election.
If enough states are tied that the Presidential vote fails (which is unlikely afaik), the VP vote in the Senate is a straight vote and that person would likely end up President anyway.
If the unfortunate event happens between Jan 6 and Jan 20, and both men are selected but neither can serve, I imagine it would be treated like both positions are vacant at the same time, and the Speaker of the House becomes President on Jan 20
Thank you, that’s quite insightful.
On a completely unrelated matter - what if both Trump, Vance and all Republican members of House and Senate suddenly die? 😂
Still the same, electoral college are the ones voting for the president, not the people, the latter only elect the electors, not the president. GOP will likely produce a new candidate and electors will decide between them and Harris and most likely elect the republican nominee. Theoretically the electoral college could still vote for Harris, some states can have Faithless Electors.
That’s is completely mad. Surely new elections should take place in such circumstances. Idiotic.
Thank you for your reply though.