BigMamaBird Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 I spent some time with my Dad this weekend and the conversation turned to the election. A question came up that neither of us knew the answer to and I figured someone here would. What happens if a candidate dies a week before the election? Does the ticket automatically go to the Vice Presidential candidate? Does the party have to scramble and come up with a new candidate in a week? Does it go to whoever came in second in the Primaries? Does the election get postponed? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 (edited) The parties fill the spot. It doesn't have to be the VP, they vote and the majority gets the spot. If they die after the election but before the electoral college votes the electors can go amok depending on the state laws (some states have strict laws about faithless electors) Congress *can* choose to push back the election day in order to give a party a chance to figure things out. If they die after the electoral college but before congress decides the votes are valid Congress can throw out the votes. (rude) But if Congress does not throw out the dead person's votes then the succession kicks in. If they die after congress but before inauguration then the succession kicks in. https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/print_friendly.html?page=faq_content.html&title=U.%20S.%20Electoral%20College%3A%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions Edited October 24, 2016 by Slartibartfast 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 (edited) A candidate has died during the process but it wasn't the winning candidate. Congress threw out the electoral college votes that went to the dead guy,. (rude) http://www.270towin.com/1872_Election/ Edited October 24, 2016 by Slartibartfast 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMamaBird Posted October 25, 2016 Author Share Posted October 25, 2016 Thanks Slartibartfast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 "(rude)" hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Closeacademy Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Thanks. My daughter has asked me this question but we hadn't made time to look it up yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 I looked up what happens if a candidate drops out or dies a few weeks ago. I was surprised to see that their spouse can fill the position (remember Sonny Bono?). That is only for Congress. Both the RNC and the DNC have rules that entail voting for a new candidate if theirs dies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 We were just wondering about this same topic. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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