Election Bypass: Trump’s ‘Little Secret’ Could Upend the Electoral College Process
Elie Mystal of The Nation unpacks a secret plan between Trump and Speaker Johnson, outlining a strategy that could undermine the 2024 election. Explore how the 12th Amendment and certification delays could reshape the Electoral College process.
In his latest piece for The Nation, Elie Mystal breaks down the cryptic “little secret” between Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson—a plot that could potentially bypass the traditional democratic process to secure Trump a win, even without a majority of votes. At its core, this “secret plan” revolves around an alarming exploitation of the 12th Amendment, aiming to win through a "contingent election" or by undermining the Electoral College certification process in Trump-opposing states. Mystal delves into this complex maneuver, explaining how Republicans could refuse certification of electoral votes, thereby lowering the total number of votes needed to win and creating conditions for a Trump victory.
“The whole point of the plan is to make people’s votes not matter,” Mystal argues, revealing the far-reaching implications of this strategy for American democracy.
Mystal also highlights the role of the Supreme Court, suggesting that with federal judge involvement, the court’s stance could heavily favor Trump, especially if they opt to delay rulings until after critical deadlines. Mystal’s article is a wake-up call to those concerned about voting integrity, emphasizing the stakes and timeline of this unfolding strategy, which could drag on well after Election Day.
Key Takeaways:
- Contingent Election Strategy: Trump’s plan reportedly involves triggering a House-decided election, leveraging the GOP’s state delegation majority.
- Blocking Certification: Republican-controlled states could refuse to certify results in Trump-opposing regions, decreasing the total Electoral College count.
- Supreme Court’s Influence: Federal court delays and decisions might tilt the scales in favor of Trump by preventing or slowing down the certification process.
Elie Mystal
