Great. Can you elaborate with a CliffNotes version of what exactly the Constitution prescribes for such scenarios?
In 1800 and 1824, the President of the United States was elected not by a majority of the American voters, or by the Electoral College, but by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The United States uses an electoral college system to elect the vice president and president. Sometimes the Electoral College fails to give a presidential or vice-presidential candidate a majority of the vote.
It's rare. It's only happened three times in the nation's history. But when it does, the 12th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution serves as an election tie-breaking provision. It provides instruction to address an electoral college tie through a contingent presidential election.
The Constitution directs that when candidates for these top federal offices fail to achieve the voting threshold of 270 electoral votes, the power to elect the president is transferred from the Electoral College to:
The U.S. House of Representatives for the president
The U.S. Senate for the vice president
In a contingent presidential election, it is the representatives or senators from each state who vote for – and elect – the president and vice president.
It's always for better. This is God's design. Although, the end is not for everyone.