Are presidential elections decided by Congress?
Elections have been decided by Congress in the past. The House of Representatives elected Thomas Jefferson President in the election of 1800 when the Electoral College vote resulted in a tie.
Who decides when to hold elections for Congress?
The Constitution simply states that “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations” (Article I, section 4).
What does the 12th Amendment do?
The Twelfth Amendment (Amendment XII) to the United States Constitution provides the procedure for electing the president and vice president. It replaced the procedure provided in Article II, Section 1, Clause 3, by which the Electoral College originally functioned.
How many times has the presidential election been decided in the House?
Contingent Elections The election of the President goes to the House of Representatives. Each state delegation casts a single vote for one of the top three contenders from the initial election to determine a winner. Only two Presidential elections (1800 and 1824) have been decided in the House.
Who makes rules for Congress?
As per the Constitution, the U.S. House of Representatives makes and passes federal laws.
What does the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution do?
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.
Who is the only President to be elected unanimously?
George Washington stood for public office five times, serving two terms in the Virginia House of Burgesses and two terms as President of the United States. He is the only independent to serve as U.S. president and the only person unanimously elected to that office.
What happens if a state ties in an election?
What happens if the electoral vote is a tie? The House of Representatives makes the decision with each state having one vote. If they cannot decide by March 4, then the Vice President becomes President and the person receiving the largest number of Vice President votes becomes Vice President.