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Wed 27 Oct, 2004 10:42 am
This is mainly a technical question:
Suppose that, on Nov. 2, Bush carries, among the swing states, Ohio, Michigan, Colorado and New Mexico, and Kerry carries Florida, Wisconsin and Iowa. It's a 269-269 tie.
Or suppose that Colorado votes in favor of proportional electoral votes, Bush carries Ohio and Florida; Kerry carries Michigan, Wisconsin, New Mexico and Iowa, the Democrats barely win in Colorado and electoral votes are distributed 5-4. It's a 269-269 tie.
What happens then?
(I'm giving Bush, by default, Alaska, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisana, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennesee, Mississipi, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. I'm giving Kerry, by default, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Minnesota, Illinois, Maine, Massachussets, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia)
I think the House of Representatives gets to decide -- though my constitutional knowledge is very rusty.
You are correct Free. The HoR votes to decide the election.
Do you know if they need the 2/3rds or just a simple majority?
I think all of us hope this doesn't happen.
Bush's first election was decided by the Judicial branch. Having his second decided by the Legislative branch would only lead to a logical outcome...
A third term decided by the executive?
Simple majority, Free.
And I agree with you EB. We really don't need this thing being decided in the House of Rep.
I suppose it's the House of Representatives elected on nov 2, not the current one. Right?
Agree with both of you that we don't want it to come to that. Especially since, given your answer CR, the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
I believe it is the current one FB, but I would have to look that up to double check. I could be mistaken on that one.
I don't think the house of reps gets to decide vice president though.
Bush Edwards?
CoastalRat wrote:I believe it is the current one FB, but I would have to look that up to double check. I could be mistaken on that one.
That sounds right. The new ones wouldn't be sworn in yet?
I did have something not quite right. The HoR vote for president BY STATE. Each state getting one vote. Thus, all reps from a single state vote for a candidate, the one getting most of the votes will get that state's vote on the house floor.
Oh hey, that's interesting. I didn't know that.
Always happy to inform. Also, I do not think there is a seperate vote for vice president. There cannot be a Bush-Edwards administration.
CoastalRat wrote:I did have something not quite right. The HoR vote for president BY STATE. Each state getting one vote. Thus, all reps from a single state vote for a candidate, the one getting most of the votes will get that state's vote on the house floor.
Strange.
This means South Carolina gets one vote, Idaho gets one vote and New York gets one vote?
Another question.
Are there representatives from D.C?
I mean... there could be a 25-25 tie there.
CoastalRat wrote:Always happy to inform. Also, I do not think there is a seperate vote for vice president. There cannot be a Bush-Edwards administration.
Alright, I'm probably wrong here. I do remember somebody making such a prediction though.
I believe D.C. has one representative in the House, thus D.C. does have a vote. But to be certain I will have to research it.
Einherjar wrote:CoastalRat wrote:Always happy to inform. Also, I do not think there is a seperate vote for vice president. There cannot be a Bush-Edwards administration.
Alright, I'm probably wrong here. I do remember somebody making such a prediction though.
Actually, I think I also remember someone on A2K making such a prediction. I will have to check it out to be sure, but I think I am right on this one. If I am not, I am sure it won't be the first time I have been wrong. Maybe the second time though. :wink:
CoastalRat wrote:I believe D.C. has one representative in the House, thus D.C. does have a vote. But to be certain I will have to research it.
Eleanor Holmes Norton is a rep from DC. I think there are special rules for her though. I will look it up by recall that she cannot actually vote.
Ok, see, I think I was wrong. The U.S. Senate does pick the VP. So I guess there can be a Bush-Edwards admin. Well, so much for me only ever being wrong once in my life. Now it's twice.
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