Why does the House have the power to elect a president if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes?
A. To balance the power of the executive branch
B. To make make sure the VP and president are in the same party
C. To keep the power of third parties in check
D. To maintain separation of powers
E. To ensure the integrity of the popular vote
E & B
E - yes
The correct answer is A. To balance the power of the executive branch.
The House of Representatives has the power to elect a president if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes. This provision is outlined in the Constitution and is known as the contingent election process. It serves to balance the power of the executive branch by ensuring that the president is not elected solely by the electoral college, but rather by a body that represents the people directly.
To understand why this is the correct answer, let's break down the other options and explain why they are not the main reason for this provision:
B. To make sure the VP and president are in the same party: While the vice president and the president are elected together on a party ticket, this is not the primary reason for the House's power in this situation. The contingent election process is not specifically designed to guarantee party alignment between the president and vice president.
C. To keep the power of third parties in check: While it is true that the contingent election process can impact third-party candidates by making it harder for them to become president, this is not the primary purpose of the House's power in this situation. The process is more focused on ensuring a legitimate, balanced method of electing a president if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes.
D. To maintain separation of powers: The principle of separation of powers is indeed a fundamental aspect of the U.S. Constitution. However, the provision giving the House the power to elect a president when there is no majority of electoral votes is not primarily about maintaining this separation. It is more focused on ensuring a fair and balanced process for electing the president.
E. To ensure the integrity of the popular vote: While ensuring the integrity of the popular vote is a crucial aspect of any democratic system, the House's power in a contingent election is not primarily about this. The provision is more concerned with providing a mechanism to elect the president when the electoral college does not produce a clear winner.
Overall, the main reason the House has the power to elect a president if no one receives a majority of electoral votes is to balance the power of the executive branch and ensure a fair and legitimate process for electing the president.