What happens if there is a tie in a national election?
In the event of a tie in a national election, the outcome is determined according to the procedures established by the legislature of the state in question. In Arkansas, a tie in the election for president or vice president is resolved by the Arkansas General Assembly. The assembly is required to meet within seven days after the election to decide the winner, and its decision is final. If the General Assembly is unable to break the tie, the winner of the election is decided in the House of Representatives. In this case, the House of Representatives must choose a president from among the candidates for the office who received the highest number of electoral votes. The House is required to make its decision by a majority vote, with each state delegation voting as a single unit. If the House of Representatives is also unable to break the tie, the vice president is elected by a majority vote of the Senate. Each senator casts one vote, and if the Senate fails to break the tie, the vice president is chosen by the sitting vice president. It is rare for a tie to occur in a national election, as the Electoral College system usually provides an outcome. However, in the event of a tie, the tie is broken according to the established procedures of the state in question.
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