On Presidents Day, Constitution Daily looks at two “what if” scenarios that would have given us 10 different Presidents through history. What factor would have given us Samuel Tilden, Willie Mangum or Aaron Burr as the nation’s leader?
As written in 1787, the Constitution gave a broad outline of how the presidency changed hands in elections, or through the process of succession by statute or constitutional amendment.
Four constitutional amendments refined this process. The 12th Amendment dealt with the disputed election of 1800, which ended in a tie when presidential and vice-presidential candidates were allocated the same Electoral College votes.
The 20th Amendment had provisions for candidates elected but not yet sworn into office. The 22nd Amendment limited presidential terms to two terms.
The 25th Amendment ratified in 1967 cleared up any questions about the Vice President’s ability to succeed a President who dies in office, who resigns, or who is removed from office.
