The purpose of elections is to determine an outcome, to designate a winner and, by extension, one or more losers. The mechanics of elections, in and of themselves, do not carry national security implications, although the selection of a winner may result in far-reaching policy changes.
From a practical standpoint, the goals and objectives of U.S. foreign and military policy do not change markedly as a result of elections, nor does the global environment in which that policy must be carried out. The style, the rhetoric and the priorities of those objectives, however, can be sharply affected by election outcomes.
What happens if an election fails to designate a winner? The Constitution of the United States defines such outcomes as a "contingent election." Are there implications on U.S. national security if the 2020 presidential election should end up a contingent election? How would such a failed election be resolved?
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