The eyes of the world are on America, where elections are to be held in less than a week. Polls indicate that the 2024 contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is likely to be one of the closest contests in recent US history.
Highly unlikely, but a tie in the Electoral College – a 269-269 split – cannot be completely ruled out. In this election, 538 electoral votes are distributed among the 50 US states and Washington, DC, based on population. To win, a presidential candidate must secure at least 270 electoral votes.
What happens in case of tie?
269-269 In the event of a tie, the US Constitution outlines a process for resolution. The Senate elects the Vice President, while the House of Representatives elects the President. This process is detailed in Article Two, Section One, Section Three of the Constitution.
The 12th Amendment specifies that members of the House must choose from the top three presidential nominees based on electoral votes, while Senators must choose from the top two vice presidential nominees.
voting process
While the electoral votes determine the overall winner, the popular vote will be completed by the time voting closes on November 5. Each candidate has designated electors in each state who gather in their respective capitals and Washington, D.C. on December 17 to officially vote. Electoral votes. These votes will then be counted during a joint session of Congress on January 6, 2025.
Although electors generally pledge to vote for their respective candidates, historical examples of “faithless electors” – where an elector votes for a candidate other than his or her promise – can be significant in a tight race. Although most previous cases have had little impact, a potential tie or close electoral margin would attract significant scrutiny on this typically procedural aspect of the electoral process.
role of congress
With 435 members in the House of Representatives, each state’s delegation casts a collective vote for President, meaning that each state’s delegates must agree on a single candidate. Similarly, senators cast their votes in person for the Vice President.
If a snap election is required, it would take place on January 6, 2025, just three days after the swearing-in of the newly elected Congress. Therefore, the outcome of the congressional elections will directly affect the outcome of the presidential election. tie.
The inauguration of the President-elect and Vice President is scheduled to take place on January 20, 2025.
