What if in a Presidential election..........

[Senator Kalwejt]

Federal law allows each state + DC to appoint their apportioned electors any way they choose, and this right extends to the settling of disputes in the popular vote.  The deadline for resolving these determinations, however, is six days prior to the meeting of the electors to cast their votes ("the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December").

Your assumption that there is a chief elections officer in each state who only votes in the case of a tie isn't accurate, and I don't know of any state that does so.  Some states might hold a quick revote (if they even have time to do so after the recount deliberations and inevitable lawsuits have concluded), while others will likely have coin flip-type solutions.  It all depends on state law.

Now, who wants to research 51 laws on how to break a tie in the statewide/districtwide popular vote? 

I wonder if there are states with no established provisions for such a case.

In Poland, if election results in a tie, the law provides a randomization. When my dad sat at the  precinct commission during local elections of 2002, he had to perform a randomization for our councilman. Unfortunately, it resulted in our preferred candidate's defeat

[Senator Kalwejt]

1 złoty, this time, polish coinage went Democratic.

But Georgia stays solid Republican



D: 282
R: 256

How do you guys have the patience to flip a coin 51 times ?

Contraty to what you may think, tt doesn't take long.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

Federal law allows each state + DC to appoint their apportioned electors any way they choose, and this right extends to the settling of disputes in the popular vote.  The deadline for resolving these determinations, however, is six days prior to the meeting of the electors to cast their votes ("the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December").

Your assumption that there is a chief elections officer in each state who only votes in the case of a tie isn't accurate, and I don't know of any state that does so.  Some states might hold a quick revote (if they even have time to do so after the recount deliberations and inevitable lawsuits have concluded), while others will likely have coin flip-type solutions.  It all depends on state law.

Now, who wants to research 51 laws on how to break a tie in the statewide/districtwide popular vote? 

Thank you.  This sheds some light on the subject.

[SteveRogers]

In Texas a second vote is held with only the tying candidates on the ballot unless the candidates both candidates agree to resolve the tie by casting lots.

[SteveRogers]

Also, my understanding of the law in New Mexico is that in the event of a tie the state's electoral votes are determined by Kevin Costner, and hilarious hijinks ensue as both Presidential candidates attempt to personally woo him for his vote. 

[Is Totally Not Feeblepizza.]

1989 pennies are, apparently, Democrats.


Democrat: 399
Republican: 199
Independent: 10

When I flipped for Maryland, it actually landed vertically between two of my keyboard keys.

[Thomas D]

1989 pennies are, apparently, Democrats.


Democrat: 399
Republican: 199
Independent: 10

When I flipped for Maryland, it actually landed vertically between two of my keyboard keys.

And GA stays solid GOP.

[CathKhan]

Also, my understanding of the law in New Mexico is that in the event of a tie the state's electoral votes are determined by Kevin Costner, and hilarious hijinks ensue as both Presidential candidates attempt to personally woo him for his vote. 

That, my friend, is a win.

[Senator Snowstalker]

1980 penny:



286-252

[Californian Tony]

And the magic Georgia rule is broken...

[pillage the village, trash the scene]

Also, my understanding of the law in New Mexico is that in the event of a tie the state's electoral votes are determined by Kevin Costner, and hilarious hijinks ensue as both Presidential candidates attempt to personally woo him for his vote. 

That, my friend, is a win.

[CathKhan]

Of course a 1980 coin would go Republican. It even gives Carter his home state.

1980 penny:


286-252

[Yelnoc]

Yo, I just found a quarter minted in 1967!  Went through all my change and found a penny from 1964!  So the map is from 1964, though I used the '67 quarter since that is easier to tell heads from tales (the penny is in it's illegibly dark stage of life).

Heads is Incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson
Tails is Barry Goldwater
If it lands in some awkward sideways position, I'll give the state to Goldwater.



Goldwater: 295
Johnson: 200
Wallace: 43

If you're wondering how the coin managed to land on its side seven times, I was lying on my bed, flipping the coin, and seven times it landed propped up against my leg.