United States Presidential Election 2024: Is a tie possible? What would happen in that case?
What happens if US election is tied
Votes are being counted in the US presidential race, with the two candidates vying for a mere 538 Electoral College votes. Can it be a tie between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump?
A tie is always a possibility, although there has only been one time when a presidential election in the US ended in a tie. It happened in 1800 when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr were face to face. The winner was chosen through the nation’s first “contingent election" in the House of Representatives.
There are several ways a tie might happen.
For example, if Harris takes Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Nevada and a single electoral vote in Nebraska, but losesPennsylvania and Georgia, there’s a tie, 269-269.
If a third-party candidate wins some electoral votes, it prevents the other two from getting a majority.
If a tie happens, Congress will decide the next president.
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What is a Contingent Election?
A Contingent Election takes place if no one can secure 270 electoral votes.
Also Read:Can Trump still become president without winning Pennsylvania?
According to the Congressional Research Service, “Each state, regardless of population, casts a single vote for President in a contingent election."
The group of House members from each state will pick from the three candidates who have the most Electoral College voters. The candidate who gets the support of the majority of the states would win.
Watch:US Elections 2024: Why Is Georgia Important In Presidential Race?
The newly elected Congress that takes office on January 3 chooses the president, while the Senate chooses the vice president. The election would take place on Jan 6, as per Congressional Research Service, after the Congress meets to count electoral votes and determines that no one has won a majority.
The members of the Congress are not bound to vote for their party candidate. However, in such a scenario, they would definitely feel pressured to choose their own candidate.
Meanwhile, Washington, DC would not have a vote in the House Contingent Election since it is not a state.
The Senators will choose from among the two vice presidential candidates with the most electoral votes.
