>>I'm pretty sure that you have to have 270 votes in the electoral college. Otherwise it goes to the House with each state casting one vote. That would mean -- Bush.
>>
>>Peter
>
>Peter,
>
>Not as I understand things. It's the majority of the states that have certified their votes by then. IMO we should expect to see the Gore camp obstructing as furiously as possible - at the same time loudly proclaiming 'rule of law'.
>
>What a bucnh of sorry souls..


Here's the text:

The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each; which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for President; and if no person have a majority, then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each state having one vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice President.

Actually on a second read, I think you're right. If a state does not respond by Dec. 18, then I guess their votes don't exist. Since there are no minor party electors in this election you either get a majority or a tie. And as you pointed out, Gore is ahead at this point.

There was an interesting article in the Washington Post that said the framers thought the votes would often be divided among several farorite sons (no favorite daughters in those days) and that often the House would make the final selection.

Peter