What Happens When The US Election Result Is A Tie
Washington DC, US: The tight competition between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is unlikely to end up in a tie, yet the possibilities cannot be ruled out. If such electoral college deadlock occurs, the decision will move to US Congress, as per the US Constitution.
In US, the popular votes do not decide President, but the electoral college, a body chosen based on the popular votes in the states. From the 538 electoral college, each state’s electors will reflect on its Congressional representation. That is two senators, and number of House representatives, which is based on the state’s population.
In most of the states, except in Maine and Nebraska, it is a “winner takes all” approach. The candidate who won popular vote will win all the electors.
Electoral Votes:
Almost all states usually vote for one party consistently, except the swing states. Votes in these states are crucial, as it can lean either way.
Also Read: US Election: How Votes Are Counted; When Will We Know Who Won
If one of the swing states has 29 electoral votes due to its Congressional representation – 2 senators, and 27 House representatives – and one of the candidates won more votes that the other, the candidate with more vote will win all the electoral votes of the state.
The candidates who wins 270 out of the 538 electoral votes wins the Presidency, regardless of the popular votes. Thus, the swing states plays major role in the election.
What Happens When Votes Are Tied:
Though it is not likely for both candidates to end up in a tie, possibilities are not out. The 296-296 electoral vote tie comes under specific scenarios. Out of the seven swing states in the country, if Harris win Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and Trump wins North Carolina, Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia, and a single each candidate would end up with exactly 269 electoral votes.
If such thing happens, the newly elected House of Representatives will choose the President and the Senate will decide Vice President, as per US Constitution.
Also Read: Explainer: How US Election Works, How President Is Elected
The tie would lead to Contingent election. The Congress will hold Contingent election on January 6th.
It will be a one state one vote method. Each state delegation in the House casts a single vote for the President. This will give smaller states and populous states equal voting power. A candidate will have to win 26 out of the 50 state delegation votes to become the President. At the same time, each senator will cast an individual vote to choose the Vice President. Who wins majority votes will become the Vice President.
The contingent election would give birth to a period of political tension and uncertainty. The last time the election ended up in contingent was in 1800, when Thomas Jefferson and John Adams ended up in a tie.
