The presidential election could be delayed or scrapped
altogether if conspiracy theories become predictive and a candidate dies
or drops out before Nov. 8. The perhaps equally startling alternative,
if there's enough time: Small groups of people hand-picking a
replacement pursuant to obscure party rules.
The scenarios have been seriously considered by few
outside of the legal community and likely are too morbid for polite
discussion in politically mixed company. But prominent law professors
have pondered the effects and possible ways to address a late-date
vacancy.
"There's nothing in the Constitution which requires a
popular election for the electors serving in the Electoral College,"
says John Nagle, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame,
meaning the body that officially elects presidents could convene without
the general public voting.
"It's up to each state legislature to decide how they
want to choose the state's electors," Nagle says. "It may be a situation
in which the fact that we have an Electoral College, rather than direct
voting for presidential candidates, may prove to be helpful."
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