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orleans

(34,956 posts)
Tue Dec 13, 2016, 02:17 PM Dec 2016

is there any way around this? or are we completely f*cked?

some discouraging news--from a piece in time back in november

"If any faithless elector ends up swaying the outcome of the election, federal lawmakers have a couple of avenues of recourse, both of which are baked into the U.S. Constitution.

"The first applies if an elector abstains or flips his vote in such a way that it results in an Electoral College tie. In such a case, then a little known provision buried in the Twelfth Amendment mandates that the House decides the president, while the Senate chooses the vice president. Each state delegation in the House casts one vote for president, and whichever candidates get the simple majority wins.

"The second constitutional check is more broad. On January 6, 2017, the newly elected Congress will meet to determine if the Electoral College vote was “regularly given.” For most of the country’s 57 past presidential elections, this vote has been ceremonial. But it doesn’t have to be. If just one House member and one senator objects to the way that the Electoral College vote played out—for example, if a faithless elector swings the final tally—then the new members can retreat to chambers to vote on what to do about it. If the House and Senate agree, their decision is final. If the House or the Senate do not agree, then the dispute goes to the “executive of the state,” meaning the state’s Secretary of State, who would make the final call."

http://time.com/4560682/faithless-electors/

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is there any way around this? or are we completely f*cked? (Original Post) orleans Dec 2016 OP
I'm afraid we're completely fucked calguy Dec 2016 #1
Completly fucked Runningdawg Dec 2016 #3
Not if Obama gets involved and fixes this. Joe941 Dec 2016 #2
What is Obama supposed to do? hamsterjill Dec 2016 #4
Absolutely. Each electoral voter should have all the facts before voting. Joe941 Dec 2016 #5
Well, I agree totally with that. hamsterjill Dec 2016 #6
Fucked budkin Dec 2016 #7
In a word, no. kudzu22 Dec 2016 #8

calguy

(5,767 posts)
1. I'm afraid we're completely fucked
Tue Dec 13, 2016, 02:43 PM
Dec 2016

Fact is we have too many on our side who are just plain too lazy to vote. Especially in the midterms.

hamsterjill

(15,509 posts)
4. What is Obama supposed to do?
Tue Dec 13, 2016, 02:58 PM
Dec 2016

Serious question in response to your post. Are you talking about him declassifying information?

hamsterjill

(15,509 posts)
6. Well, I agree totally with that.
Tue Dec 13, 2016, 03:20 PM
Dec 2016

The American people should have all of the facts, too, so that they can make their case known to the electors. The issue, at this point, is in the timing. December 19th is fast approaching.

kudzu22

(1,273 posts)
8. In a word, no.
Tue Dec 13, 2016, 04:26 PM
Dec 2016

Unless you can amend the constitution between now and then. This attempt to sway electors is really futile and has the potential to backfire. It'd be better to figure out a legislative strategy for the new term and focus on trying to win in 2018.


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