Running mate

[Anzeigenhauptmeister]

Does a presidential candidate have to choose a running mate in order to be able to run for president?
This question is particularly interesting for independent candidates.

[This is Eharding, guys]

No, not really. The party conventions can select them without any presidential candidate input. I think some of the states might require a VP candidate be existent for every presidential candidate, though, so candidates running without a VP picked by either the party or the candidate might be legally dubious in some states.

[DKrol]

No, not really. The party conventions can select them without any presidential candidate input. I think some of the states might require a VP candidate be existent for every presidential candidate, though, so candidates running without a VP picked by either the party or the candidate might be legally dubious in some states.

I believe this is correct. That's why Evan McMullin ran with Nathan Johnson (a random name) in some states, because he hadn't picked Mindy Finn yet and they wouldn't let him on the ballot or be a write-in without a running mate.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Not in the slightest. In practical terms, the existence of a running mate is somewhat inevitable, as the same electors voting for president also cast their states' votes in the vice presidential election (and of course, it makes sense for candidates to want to name their second-in-command). Legally, though, a candidate could refuse to name a running mate and leave the choice to their party's convention (Adlai Stevenson was the last major party candidate to do this) or to the electors themselves.

[Sir Mohamed]

I don't think so. If there is no VP elected by the EC, the senate has to determine one. To the best of my knowledge, Martin Van Buren did not have a running mate in 1840 because his VP Richard Mentor Johnson missed the Dem's nomination (was already elected by the senate in 1836 in the first place). Because Van Buren lost that election, the question how the VP would be selected was never tested in reality.

[Anzeigenhauptmeister]

I don't think so. If there is no VP elected by the EC, the senate has to determine one. To the best of my knowledge, Martin Van Buren did not have a running mate in 1840 because his VP Richard Mentor Johnson missed the Dem's nomination (was already elected by the senate in 1836 in the first place). Because Van Buren lost that election, the question how the VP would be selected was never tested in reality.

But can't the electors vote for whomever they want?

[twenty42]

There has to be a VP candidate because the office of Vice President is up for election every four years just as the office of the President is. The President and VP run on the same ticket as a matter of tradition, but the office still needs to be filled by the EC by way of the voters. Even if the presidential nominee doesn’t choose a VP, there would still have to be a slot on the GE ballot for the office. There is no constitutional rule for how to nominate a VP in this case, but then again there is no constitutional rule for how to nominate a presidential candidate, either.

However, it is noteworthy to mention that VP candidates are technically running against each other in the same way presidential candidates are. This is usually only noted during the VP debate, but it is also customary for the losing VP candidate to concede to the VP-elect on Election Night.

[SingingAnalyst]

In 1976, Eugene McCarthy (Independent) didn't select a running mate. He received 1.1% of the PV.

[UnselfconsciousTeff]

In 1976, Eugene McCarthy (Independent) didn't select a running mate. He received 1.1% of the PV.

McCarthy had nine running mates that variated from state to state

[brucejoel99]

In 1976, Eugene McCarthy (Independent) didn't select a running mate. He received 1.1% of the PV.

McCarthy had nine running mates that variated from state to state

Yes, but he didn't select a singular running mate.

[Free Bird]

On this note, it would be super cool if a major nominee didn't choose a running mate in modern times and if the convention got to choose as a result. Who do you think the RNC would've chosen for Trump?