No Labels cautioned that a third-party bid may lead to a ‘constitutional crisis’ and require the House to determine the election
A Bipartisan Warning to No Labels: Unity Ticket Campaign Could Lead to Contingent Election
A group of former national lawmakers from both sides of the aisle is cautioning No Labels against its third-party unity ticket campaign, raising concerns that it could result in a contingent election and potentially hand the 2024 election to the Republican-led House of Representatives.
The possibility of a contingent election, where no presidential candidate receives a majority, has sparked worry among legislators and political groups. In such a scenario, the House would hold a special vote to select the president, while the Senate would elect the vice president.
Democrats and groups like Third Way have expressed alarm that a contingent election would likely lead to the election of former President Donald Trump, given the Republicans’ advantage in the House.
Former Lawmakers Warn of Constitutional Crisis
In a letter obtained by Axios, former Senators Doug Jones (Democrat) and Jack Danforth (Republican), along with former Democratic House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt, wrote to No Labels, cautioning against their pursuit of ballot access in all 50 states. They emphasized that a No Labels presidential ticket could trigger a constitutional crisis by initiating a contingent election.
The former lawmakers highlighted the potential for biased rules favoring the party with a narrow majority in the House, even if the voters clearly preferred another candidate. They described a contingent election as calamitous.
Contingent elections are rare in U.S. history. The House determined the presidential election in 1824, electing John Quincy Adams, while the Senate selected the vice president in 1837, choosing Richard Mentor Johnson. However, these instances were not due to a third party but rather the failure to secure a majority in Adams’s case and the lack of support from electors in Johnson’s case.
Third-party campaigns have had little success in preventing electoral vote deadlocks. Strom Thurmond’s Dixiecrat candidacy in 1948 and George Wallace’s American Independent candidacy in 1968 did not prevent Harry Truman or Richard Nixon from securing a majority in the Electoral College.
The upcoming 2024 election is shaping up to be a rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden, a contest that a majority of voters have expressed they do not want. No Labels plans to announce whether it will launch a unity presidential ticket to challenge both the incumbent and former president by mid-March.
No Labels has clarified that its participation in 2024 depends on the nominees and that it would abandon its unity ticket bid if it did not see a path to victory.
No Labels’ Ballot Access Campaign and Legal Challenges
No Labels has been working to secure ballot access in multiple states. The group has already achieved access in at least 14 states and aims to be on the ballot in 32 states by 2024. Despite facing legal challenges from Democratic-aligned groups accusing them of misusing their nonprofit status and violating campaign finance laws, No Labels remains undeterred.
Lawyers for No Labels have dismissed these accusations as baseless and dangerous to voters, emphasizing that the organization’s primary concern is ensuring voters have a broader choice beyond the two major parties.
While the road ahead may be challenging, No Labels is confident in its ability to compete in all 50 states with a unity ticket. The group believes that offering voters an alternative choice is crucial, even in the face of legal obstacles.
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What concerns are raised about the power of the House to determine the outcome of a unity ticket campaign, and how could this favor one political party over another
Unity ticket campaign like the one proposed by No Labels. The concern arises from the potential for a fragmented electorate and the power of the House to determine the outcome.
The letter from the former lawmakers also highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity of the democratic process. They argued that a contingent election would undermine the will of the people and could lead to a loss of faith in the electoral system. They urged No Labels to consider the potential consequences of their campaign and the potential damage it could do to the democratic process.
No Labels, a political organization dedicated to promoting bipartisanship, has faced criticism before for its approach. Critics argue that the organization’s efforts to bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans may inadvertently give more power to the Republican Party, which currently holds the majority in the House. The concern is that a contingent election could result in a Republican president being selected, even if the majority of voters preferred a different candidate.
Supporters of the No Labels campaign argue that it is necessary to break the gridlock and divisions in American politics. They believe that a unity ticket could offer a viable alternative to the two-party system and provide a voice for those who feel marginalized by the current political landscape. However, the warnings from the former lawmakers serve as a reminder that such efforts must be carefully considered to avoid unintended consequences.
In conclusion, a group of former national lawmakers is cautioning No Labels against their unity ticket campaign, citing concerns over the possibility of a contingent election. While supporters of the campaign believe it offers a solution to the partisan gridlock in American politics, opponents argue that it could result in a Republican president being selected, regardless of the voters’ preferences. The warnings from the former lawmakers serve as a reminder of the potential risks and consequences of third-party campaigns, and the need to carefully consider their impact on the democratic process.
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