The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-11-10
ELRCTING A PRESIDENT.
Modus Operandi OF the Electoral
College.

In some States the electors were chos-
en- by the Legislature; in others their
election is given direct to the people
The latior method has become universal
in all the States. The electors, when
chosen, meet in their respective States
on the FIRST Wednesday Of December,
that il, when Presidential election oc-
ours (which is every fourth year, and
when assembled they are denominated
the Electoral Colleges, and vote for one
man for President and one for Vice
President, after which these votes are
aent 10 the President of the Senate Of
the United States by a messenger elect
ed for that express purpose. When this
is done the duties of the electors are
completed--the college is dissolved,
never to meet again. Pennsylvania has
20 electors, consequently 29 electoral
votes. Anybody can vote--as for Con-
gressmen--for' electors, for their choice.
They will be counted accordingly. So
in other States. When these votes reach
Washington they are counted by the
Senate, in the presence Of the House Of
Representatives and it is then declared
who has been elected President and Vice
President of the United States for the
next four years. The following is arti
Gle II Of the Constitution. 1t explains
the modus operaudi Of the Electoral Col.
lege:
The electors shall meet in their re-
spective States and vote by ballot fol
President and Vice President, one o.
whom at least shall be an inhabitant o
the same State with themselves; they
shall name in their ballots the person t.
be voted for as President, and in dis
tinct ballots the person voted for as Vic
President; and they shall make distiDc
lists of all persons voted for as Presi
dent, and of all such persons voted fo
as Vice Prerident, and.of the number O
votes for each, which list they shall sig
and certify, and transmit sealed to IN
seat of government of the United State,
directed to the President of the Senate
The President of the Senate, in pres
ence of the two Houses of Congress
shall count the votes, and the persol
having the greatest number of votes 70
President, "if such number be MAORI
ty OF the whole number of electors ap
pointed" shall be President. and il n
such person have such majority, the
from the person having the highes
number, not exceeding three, on the lis
Of those voted for as President, tn
House OF Representatives shall choos
Immediately by ballot, the President.
In choosing President the vote shal
be taken by States. Each State shal
have one vote, and quorum for thi
purpose shall consist of a member O
members from two thirds Of the State
and majority of all the States shall b
necessary to choice. Should not tn
House Of Representatives choose PREF
ideDt whenever the right of choice shal
devolve upon them before the 4th {
March next following, then the Vic
President shall act as President, as j
the case of death and constitutional di
ability of the President. The perso
having the greatest number of vote
! shall be Vice President. if such nun
ber shall be majority of the whol
number of electors appointed, if no
then from the two highest numbers o
the list the Senate shall choose the Vic
President. Two thirds Of the Senat
shall vote. No person constitutional
ineligible to the Presidency shall be el
} gible TO the Vice Presidency.