Sincere Question

[DonCoquixote]

I know the show "designated survivor" may have brought this up as well, but what would actually happen in the event the two party candidiates could not run, like if one of them died? Do we have the procedure in play?

[Hortensis]

1. WaPo tried to answer this and all other scenarios between now and

the swearing in at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/09/14/what-happens-if-a-u-s-presidential-candidate-withdraws-or-dies-before-the-election-is-over/

Messy as hell and full of questions about law and procedure.

The DNC and RNC would choose a new nominee, although rules for how are not spelled out. Then the new name would have to get on state ballots, but too late for most, so quick punt to a high court to decide state rules themselves are unconstitutional? Or? Then off to the electoral college with more questions about how electors have to vote, or not.

Good question. Trump could just walk away. I speculate that the short answer might be SCOTUS appointing another president. That didn't go over well last time, but we did sit still for their blatant negation of our power, and that was a simple matter compared to this.

[DonCoquixote]

2. oh crap

Yes, Scalia is dead...and while I hate celebrating that, I do, however, this Supreme court is in tatters, so would it get bumped to a lower court?

[Hortensis]

3. Hmmm. Maybe the presidential appointment

would only be valid in the DC Circuit? Lol and good grief, but, no matter, the Court has to be improved with Scalia gone.

We may never know who he was secretly meeting on this latest highly unethical and probably highly illegal trip, or why, but I at least feel pretty certain some plots we really wouldn't like were disrupted. And with this election it'll be Charles Koch who drops dead before he gets as close as he was briefly.