In the U.S. presidential election system, a candidate must secure at least 270 out of 538 electoral votes to win the presidency. However, if no candidate reaches this threshold, the decision to select the next president shifts to the House of Representatives under the 12th Amendment. Each state delegation in the House casts a single vote, meaning the decision ultimately rests on the majority vote of the states, not individual representatives. Currently, Republicans hold the majority in more state delegations, which could influence the outcome if the House takes on the decision.
Meanwhile, the Senate would be responsible for selecting the vice president, with each senator casting one vote. This process adds another layer of complexity and raises the stakes of the election, especially if control of the Senate is closely divided between parties.
A split outcome is also possible, where one party controls the House and the other the Senate, potentially leading to a president and vice president from different parties. Such a scenario could create unique challenges in governance, as the president and vice president would need to work across partisan lines to achieve policy goals.
While rare, this constitutional process has been enacted before, most notably in 1824. With the current polarization in U.S. politics, a contingent election could add to public uncertainty and test the resilience of the electoral system.
