What If No One Reaches Electoral Vote ‘Magic Number’?

It would be fair to say that, no matter who you are voting for in the presidential election, you probably feel it's gone on too long.

Waaay too long.

But it's almost over. In a matter of hours it will be done, stick a fork in it, the process has ended and, like it or not, we know who our President will be for the next four years.

Or maybe not.

And no, I'm not talking about the 2000 election when for weeks we didn't know if it was Bush or Gore. That's a whole 'nother story for someone else to pontificate on.

No, I'm talking about...what if no one reaches the magic 270 number?

Welcome to the United States House of Representatives.

We then experience what is commonly called a 'contingent election' and basically, the member of the U.S. House vote and whoever receives the most votes...voila'!...we have a new President.

Now, before you say 'Oh, that would never happen', well...they may have said that twice before in our history and been wrong.

The 1800 election and the 1824 election were both decided by the House. And it wouldn't take a lot of imagination that not everyone was pleased, not only with the result, but also the process.

Oh, and then there was whole 'nother kettle of fish to fry in the 1876 presidential election. That one was decided by, not only the House of Representatives, but Senators and even members of the Supreme Court. You think there's controversy this year? Oh, this is a Sunday afternoon tea compared to that whole mess.

So you see, this may be the most unusual presidential campaign...but let's hope that whatever happens, happens...and we can all get up Wednesday the 9th and just go back to work.

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