HOW UNITED STATES SENATORS ARE ELECTED.
"The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof."—Constitution, I. 3: 1.
The time of this election is the second Tuesday after the meeting and organization of the legislature. If a vacancy occurs in the senate during the session of the legislature, the election occurs on the second Tuesday after notice of the vacancy is received by the legislature.
On the day appointed, the roll of each house being called, each member responds by naming one person for the senatorship. The result of the vote is entered on the journal of each house by the clerk thereof.
The next day at noon, the members of both houses convene in joint assembly, and the journal of each house is read. If the same person has received a majority of all the votes in each house, he is declared elected.
But if no person has received such majority, the joint assembly proceeds to choose, by viva voce vote of each member present, a person for senator. A quorum consists of a majority of each house, and a majority of those present and voting is necessary to a choice.
If no one receives such majority on the first day, the joint assembly meets daily at noon, and takes at least one vote, until a senator is elected.
A certificate of election is made out by the governor, countersigned and authenticated under seal of the state by the secretary of state, and forwarded to the president of the senate of the United States.
HOW THE ELECTORAL VOTE IS COUNTED.
"The president of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the vote shall then be counted."—Constitution, Amendment XII.