U.S. Citizenship Civics TestSystem of GovernmentHard
A civics test applicant is learning about the U.S. electoral system. If no candidate wins a majority of the electoral votes for President, which body decides the presidential election?
- AThe Senate
- BThe House of Representatives
- CThe Supreme Court
- DA national popular vote referendum
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The House of Representatives
If no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives decides the presidential election, with each state delegation casting one vote.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The Senate decides the Vice Presidential election if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes.
- C. The Supreme Court resolves legal disputes, but does not elect the President directly.
- D. A national popular vote referendum is not part of the constitutional process for electing a President in this scenario.
Contingent Election (President)
If no presidential candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives decides the election, with each state delegation casting one vote.
- Requires a majority of state delegations (26) to win
- Has happened twice in U.S. history (1800, 1824)
- The Senate decides the Vice President in a similar scenario
Memory trick: No clear winner? House picks President, Senate picks VP.