As we write this, pundits are still analyzing the performances of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle.
For some inexplicable reason, we are seeing a sudden surge in readers who are finding their way to Commonplace Fun Facts after searching such terms as “25th Amendment,” “presidential disability,” “debate performance,” and “can I vote for ‘none of the above’?”
If you are one of those who is wondering about the future of the world’s greatest democracy, you have come to the right place. Over the years, the Commonplace Fun Facts team has answered virtually every question you might have. We present the most relevant stories (at least as far as today’s search terms suggest) here in this one-stop-shop.
Click on the links below if you want to know:
- What happens if the party’s nominee withdraws or is unable to run before the election?
- What happens if something happens to a candidate between election day and taking office?
- What happens if a president becomes incapacitated?
- What happens if a president goes crazy?
- What if an election is too close to call?
- When does the winner of the election become the president-elect?
- Can I vote for “None of the Above”?
- What if I don’t want to vote for anyone on the ballot? Can I vote for something like — oh, say a foot powder?
- Do we know what was the most fraudulent election in history?
- Has a president ever been involved in a stolen election?
- What about third-party candidates? Is there anyone I should consider?
What if the President Goes Stark-Raving Mad? Presidential Succession Due to Disability
UPDATED November 19, 2021 An earlier post answered the question about what would happen if something happens to a presidential candidate during the election process. There, we discussed all kinds of scenarios, ranging from the time prior to the party conventions, all the way up to a death after the candidate takes office. Left unanswered…
What Happens When a Presidential Candidate Dies During the Election Process?
A colleague of ours recently asked what would happen if one of the candidates for President happened to die during the election process. She said, “I pray it doesn’t happen, but after all, this is 2020, and if anything can go wrong, it seems like this is the year for it.” The answer to the…
A Crazy, Messed Up, Fraudulent, Stolen Election — (Not the One You’re Thinking Of)
The Presidential election was an absolute mess. After a long, nasty, contentious campaign, the voting was over, but the outcome was far from clear. Both sides claimed victory. The Democrats pointed to the popular vote and apparent Electoral College victory. The Republicans claimed widespread fraud and suppression of legal votes and maintained that their candidate…
When Does the Winner of the Election Become the President-elect?
The title “President-elect” is not found in the U.S. Constitution. It is a designation given to the person who has officially been elected to office but has not yet assumed the office. The recent Presidential election has caused a lot of people to ask when it is appropriate for the title to be used. A…
Meet Vermin Supreme and Ride Your Pony Into a Zombie-Powered Future
UPDATED FEBRUARY 2, 2021 to reflect the 2020 election season. Readers of Commonplace Fun Facts have already encountered a political candidate who openly declares himself to be insane, a man who couldn’t get elected as president, so he declared himself to be King of the World and a presidential candidate who couldn’t even get the…
How About An Election Where You Can Vote for “None of the Above”?
In the 2007 Australian federal election, Geoff Richardson changed his full name to “Of The Above None,” running for the seat of Gilmore. His name thus appeared on the ballot as “NONE, Of the Above.” His strategy did not win him the election, but it draws attention to the fact that sometimes voters are less…
The City that Elected a Foot Powder to City Council
The community of Picoazá, Ecuador apparently needs some fresh candidates for political office. During an election for city council, voters were unsatisfied with the candidates listed on the ballot. They wrote in their choice, and that write-in candidate was elected. Who was this popular grassroots politician? The newly-elected council member wasn’t a person; it was…
The Most Fraudulent Election in History
In an era of allegations of improperly-influenced elections, fraud, and political corruption, it may be comforting to realize that things could be worse. The 1927 presidential election of Liberia featured incumbent Charles D.B. King versus his challenger, Thomas J.R. Faulkner. King was the 17th president of Liberia, entering into office in 1920. When the final…
How a Stolen Election Propelled LBJ to the White House
A hotly-contested election. Polling data says the outcome is too close to predict. As the polls close, one of the candidates seems to have won. Shortly thereafter, votes are “discovered” for the other candidate — enough to win the election. Accusations are made. Fingers are pointed. Recounts conducted. Lawsuits filed. It goes all the way…
Discover more from Commonplace Fun Facts
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: Government, History, Politics, Presidents, Psychology, US History
Commonplace Fun Facts 