One other potential scenario looms this fall: the "contingent election" of the president and the vice president that would happen if no one can secure the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidential election.
That has not happened in the modern era, but there are a few conceivable (if unlikely) paths across the Electoral College map that could lead to former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris ending the race tied at 269 electoral votes.
In the event of a tie, Congress would decide the next president.
“Each state, regardless of population, casts a single vote for President in a contingent election,” according to the Congressional Research Service.
Although Washington, D.C., has three electoral votes in the presidential election, it would not have a vote in the House in a contingent election because it is not a state.
Persons:
Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, ’, Harris
Organizations:
Electoral, Omaha -, Republicans, Congressional Research Service, Electoral College voters, D.C
Locations:
Omaha, Congress, Minnesota, North Carolina, Washington