+++ title = "Twelfth Amendment" tags = ["tag1", "tag2"] +++
Vice President Harris ties in three scenarios, and the outcome will be a 269-269 tie in the Electoral College. This assumes that Harris does not win any other swing state, each of which Trump wins. Otherwise, every remaining state is won by the party that won it in 2020.
- NV, WI, AZ and GA
- NV, WI, AZ and NC
- AZ, GA and NC
The models assume that except for the seven swing states, each candidate will win the states and election districts won in 2020. For Harris, the total includes a Nebraska district that centers on Omaha. Nebraska is one of two states that have this arrangement. The other is Maine. An attempt was made earlier this year to change Nebraska to the winner-take-all system used by other states. It was unsuccessful, and it is not clear if another attempt will be made. It could be added to a special session anticipated for July to deal with property tax relief, but as of mid-June there has been a scarcity of news raising this. There also appears to be some internecine conflict going on between the Congressional delegation and the MAGA-aligned party apparatus. Should winner take all be implemented or if the Nebraska Second this time votes for Trump, possible outcomes differ.
The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice.
U.S. Constitution, Twelfth Amendment [emphasis added]
A majority of 50 state delegations is 26, which is currently what the Republican Party controls. In addition, Maine, Minnesota and North Carolina have equally divided delegations. The remaining 20 delegations are controlled by the Democratic party.
If the Republican Party retains control of 26 states, it is in a position to choose the Vice President.
If the Republican Party loses control of one state, no party has sole power to choose the Vice President.
In that case, the provisions of the Presidential Succession Act come into operation.
Should a majority of states fail to agree on the selection of the President and also fail to agree on the selection of a Vice President, the Speaker of the House will become President on Inauguration Day or, if there is no Speaker, the President Pro Tem of the Senate. If there should be no President Pro Tem of the Senate, the Secretary of State would become President.