Q. In case neither candidate for the presidency has a majority of all the electoral votes cast, what must be done?
A. The election goes to the House of Representatives.
ELECTION BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Q. How does this election take place?
A. I. Two-thirds of the States must be represented to constitute a quorum.
II. The candidates must be those already voted for, and must be confined to those receiving the highest number, not exceeding three.
III. Each State is entitled to only one vote: and it will be cast according to the wishes of a majority of the members in the House from that State. If, for instance, a State has fifteen members, eight belonging to one party and seven to another; the eight, being a majority, will, if agreed, cast the one vote, the minority having no voice in the election. Should there be an even number of members from any State, and should they be equally divided between two candidates, there might be one-half of a vote for each candidate.
Q, In case of a failure on the part of the House of Representatives to elect a President before the fourth of March, what then?
A. The Vice-President must act as President.