What happens if no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes?

If no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes in a presidential election, the decision goes to the House of Representatives. This situation arises if no candidate receives at least 270 electoral votes, which is necessary to win the presidency outright. The Constitution stipulates that the House will select the President from among the top three candidates based on electoral votes. Each state delegation in the House casts one vote, and a majority of state delegations is required to elect the President.

This process highlights the unique role of the House in maintaining the principle of representative democracy, as it ensures that the decision reflects the collective will of the states rather than a pure popular vote. The remaining options do not align with the established legal framework following an election when no majority is achieved. The Supreme Court does not decide such elections, nor are elections typically repeated under these circumstances. The Senate, by contrast, has a different role in the electoral process, specifically in selecting the Vice President if there is no majority for that office.