Trump Vs. Harris: What Happens In A Tie?

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Post on Nov 06, 2024

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Trump vs. Harris: What Happens In A Tie?

The 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be a nail-biter, with polls showing a close race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. But what happens if the election ends in a tie? It's a scenario that, while unlikely, is not impossible.

Understanding the Electoral College

To understand how a tie could occur, we need to delve into the workings of the Electoral College. The Electoral College system, established by the U.S. Constitution, determines the winner of the presidential election. Each state is allocated a number of electors based on its population, with a total of 538 electors nationwide.

A candidate needs to secure a simple majority of electoral votes, which is 270, to win the presidency.

The Tiebreaker Scenario

Let's imagine a scenario where Trump and Harris each receive 269 electoral votes. This would be a tie, meaning neither candidate has achieved the required majority. In this situation, the election wouldn't be decided on November 5th. Instead, the decision would fall to the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives Decides

According to the 12th Amendment, the House of Representatives holds the power to choose the president in case of a tie. However, it's not a simple majority vote. Each state delegation gets one vote, and a candidate needs to secure a majority of state delegations (26 out of 50) to win.

The Senate's Role

The Senate, meanwhile, gets to choose the vice president in the event of a tie. In this scenario, the Senate would hold a simple majority vote.

Implications of a Tie

A tie scenario presents a complex and potentially drawn-out process. The House of Representatives would need to decide on the presidency, which could lead to political maneuvering, partisan gridlock, and weeks, if not months, of uncertainty.

Conclusion

While a tie in the 2024 presidential election is unlikely, it's an intriguing scenario that highlights the complexities of the Electoral College system. Understanding the process for resolving a tie provides valuable context for the upcoming election and sheds light on the potential political ramifications of a close race.