Which margin is required to choose the president

Wikimedia Commons. All of those elected to national offices — the President, Vice President, Senators, and Representatives — are chosen by majorities that reflect the Nation's federal nature. Americans elect a president through the state-by-state mechanism of the Electoral College rather than direct nationwide popular vote. Today, all but two states award all of their electoral votes to the statewide winner. Ever since Andrew Jackson was denied the presidency by the House of Representatives in , some have called for its abolition.

It is timely to consider the value of this vital and controversial institution devised by our founders in in the world's oldest constitution. This view ignores the great debate of the Constitutional Convention between the small and large state delegates. The Congress itself reflects this struggle.

Each state has two senators regardless of size, while House seats are apportioned by population. The Electoral College evolved from a similar compromise. Fearing dominance from the populous states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia which included West Virginia in , small states proposed election of the president by the 13 state legislatures — each holding a single vote.

Some wanted the Congress to elect our president. Large-state delegates such as Madison of Virginia naturally favored direct popular election. The Electoral College was an ingenious compromise, allowing the popular election of the president, but on a state-by-state basis. Each Senator casts one vote for Vice President.

Since the District of Columbia is has no Senators and is not represented in the vote. A candidate must receive at least 51 votes a majority of Senators to be elected. A tie is a statistically remote possibility, even in smaller States, and would not be known until late November or early December, after a recount and after the Secretary of State for the State had certified the election results.

Following the November election, one candidate for a Virginia House of Delegates seat was ahead by two 2 votes. Since the results were so close, there was a recount which found that one 1 vote had been miscounted. After the recount, the candidates had the same number of votes.

Following State law, they drew lots for a winner. The candidates put their names on individual pieces of paper and put the pieces in a bowl. A neutral third party pulled a name out of the bowl and that candidate was declared the winner. A very close finish could also result in a run-off election or legal action to decide the winner. Just like a tie, State law determines how the winner is decided, and would be conclusive in determining the selection of electors. The law provides that if States have laws to determine controversies or contests as to the selection of electors, those determinations must be completed at least six days before the meeting of the electors.

The objection must be made in writing and signed by at least one Senator and one member of the House of Representatives. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives debate the objection separately. Debate is limited to two hours.

After the debate, both the Senate and the House of Representatives rejoin and both must agree to reject the votes. After debate, the Senate and the House failed to agree to reject the votes. Uniformed Services include the U. Statista Accounts: Access All Statistics. Basic Account. You only have access to basic statistics.

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