The VP “shall become” president according to the 25th Amendment. Before that, the precedent for this was established when President Harrison actually dropped dead in office in 1841 after having only been president for a month.

Wait, so even in that case when the President dies within a short time of taking office, a new election isn't called immediately while an interim president fills the seat for a short duration until a new President is elected? 😮

[–] Shinhoshi@lemmygrad.ml 5 points 3 months ago

Right, it's common knowledge in the US that the VP could become the president while in office. This was used to fearmonger to racists due to Biden's age and declining health that Kamala would take over during his term.

Interim elections are called for members of Congress as needed, but no, presidents will simply appoint a new vice president if needed and serve the remainder of the term.

[–] ComradeSalad@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Its such a niche case scenario that no one has bothered to prepare for it, as demonstrated by the fact that it only happened twice in US history; once in 1841 due to an extremely unexpected illness, and once in 1865 due to an assassination after the Civil War when there would have been no way to set up a national election. Also with the way US elections work, there would be absolutely no way you could call an election on such a short notice. It would be an utter disaster.

[–] SLfgb@feddit.nl 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Also with the way US elections work, there would be absolutely no way you could call an election on such a short notice. It would be an utter disaster.

Why is that? The UK did it... Why does an election campaign have to go for half the term in the US?

[–] ComradeSalad@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Because of the way party conventions and nominations work, with the way the US system is currently designed there would be essentially no way to get parties to elect their officials, tell everyone about the candidate, and then vote for a half term.

Don’t forget that the entire UK could fit into one US state and the entire population of the UK is smaller then the population of Texas and California alone.

Further, because of the sheer size of the United States, many people have to travel could need to travel upwards of 30-45 minutes one way to vote, so many people rely on mail in votes, which would be close to impossible to distribute and then collect in the time the snap election happens. It would just be easier to wait until the next election.

It is also expected that the vice president would carry on the plans of the original president since they are from the same party, so there aren’t any major changes in course expected.

[–] SLfgb@feddit.nl 1 points 3 months ago

I don't really know how party conventions and noninations work, but I'll take your word for it.

vote for a half term. why half a term? Why not just a full term starting as soon as the newly elected Presidenn takes office?

Further, because of the sheer size of the United States, many people have to travel could need to travel upwards of 30-45 minutes one way to vote, so many people rely on mail in votes, which would be close to impossible to distribute and then collect in the time the snap election happens. It would just be easier to wait until the next election.

Sounds like they need more funding for more voting booths...