LogFAQs > #891343682

The House of Representatives has to elect the President from the top three candidates. However, each representative doesn't cast a vote. Instead they vote en bloc, all the reps from one state cast one vote for that candidate. A candidate must receive a majority, the votes of 26 states' representatives, to be elected president.

If no vice-president candidate receives 270 electoral votes, the Senate has to select from the top two candidates. The senators vote individually and the vice-president must receive a majority, at least 51 votes, to be elected. The wording of the twelfth amendment makes it seem like only sitting senators may vote, precluding the the sitting vice-president from breaking a 50-50 tie vote. But some believe the sitting vice-president would be permitted to break the tie.

If the House can't elect someone following the above terms, the vice president selected by the senate becomes acting president until they do. If the senate also can't elect a candidate by the above rules, the succession rules make the Speaker of the House the acting president until one of the branches of Congress select a candidate.


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The only reason lightning never strikes in the same place twice, is that the same place isn't there the second time.