What body picks the President if no candidate receives enough electoral votes?

Prepare for the Executive Branch test with tailored quizzes. Explore a variety of flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with detailed hints and explanations. Boost your confidence for exam day!

If no presidential candidate secures the majority of electoral votes, the responsibility of selecting the President falls to the House of Representatives. This provision is outlined in the 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states that the House shall choose the President from the top three candidates who received the most electoral votes.

This process involves each state delegation in the House casting a vote for one of the candidates, which means that the outcome can be influenced by the partisan composition of the House at that time. The unique setup emphasizes the role of the legislative branch in determining the president when the Electoral College does not reach a decisive conclusion.

In this context, it's important to recognize that neither the Senate nor the Supreme Court have any role in choosing the President under these circumstances. The Electoral College, while it plays a crucial role in the initial election process, does not intervene if the election results are inconclusive; its function is to formally cast votes based on the elections held in each state. Thus, the House of Representatives is the correct answer when it comes to selecting a President in the event of an electoral tie or insufficient votes.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy