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 Story of the 1876 Election
The 1876 election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden was marked by controversy, allegations of fraud, and a disputed Electoral College outcome despite Tilden winning the popular vote. The resulting Electoral Commission ultimately awarded the presidency to Hayes, ending Reconstruction and initiating systemic racism, echoing divisions seen in modern elections.
When Does the Winner of the Election Become the President-elect?
When does the winner of the election become the president-elect? Discover the timeline and constitutional process for when a U.S. President-elect officially assumes the title. Learn about the Electoral College and key election milestones.
Meet Vermin Supreme and Ride Your Pony Into a Zombie-Powered Future
Vermin Supreme, a perennial presidential candidate since 2004, is known for his humorous and bizarre political platform promising free ponies, mandatory toothbrushing, and zombie apocalypse readiness. Although his ideas seem absurd, he has garnered notable votes in past elections and aimed for the Libertarian nomination in 2020, advocating for traditional political issues.
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…
Picoazá, Ecuador: The City that Elected a Foot Powder to City Council
Learn about the election in Picoazá, Ecuador, where a foot powder was elected to city council.
The Most Fraudulent Election in History
The 1927 presidential election in Liberia saw incumbent Charles D.B. King declared the winner with 234,000 votes, despite only 15,000 registered voters. This led to him earning a Guinness World Record for the most fraudulent election. King resigned three years later due to a slavery scandal uncovered by the League of Nations.
How a Stolen Election Propelled LBJ to the White House
The 1948 Senate election in Alice, Texas, is a significant case of electoral fraud, where Lyndon B. Johnson benefitted from an outright stolen election. Discover how this impacted Johnson’s political trajectory to the presidency.
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