Florida Appoints No Electors
Because the state's voting problems were not resolved in time, and because the state legislature could not reach a decision quickly, the state of Florida submitted no Electoral College ballots in connection with this election.
That means that all of Florida's 25 Electoral College votes are simply discarded this year.
Strictly following the wording of the Twelfth Amendment, the next President will be the winner of "a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed." But if Florida appoints no electors, then the Electoral College has only 513 members, instead of 538.
That, in turn, means that a candidate would have to win only 257 Electoral College votes to accede to the presidency.
Given Al Gore's current Electoral College standing, he would almost automatically be the winner. However, there are other possibilities.
| What happens in the Electoral College? |
(1) Without Florida's votes, Al Gore wins the Electoral College handily. If you think this happens, click here to continue.
(2) The Republican Party can try to persuade electors to defect, arguing that the shenanigans in Florida are improperly giving Gore the presidency. If you want them to try, click here to continue.
(3) It is also possible, however, for a tie in the Electoral College. Without Florida's electors, there would be 513 votes in the Electoral College. If a single elector defects -- say, to support Ralph Nader -- the House of Representatives would be a tie in the Electoral College, and the House of Representatives would have to pick the next president. If you want that to happen, click here to continue.