US polls: What is a Contingent Election? Will it be so close between Trump and Harris that there will be one?

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

US polls 2024 is just at its last leg now, and Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's respective campaigns are giving it their best to get an edge over each other in the final weeks leading up to the polls. However, there is still a lot of work left to be done. Meanwhile, there are reports suggesting that there is a chance of a Contingent Election, in case there is no clear winner of the Presidential polls.

What is a Contingent election all about?

During a contingent election, the Senate elects the Vice President, while choosing one of the two candidates who has attained the most number of electoral votes. Every Senator has a vote, and the majority is required to elect a candidate to the White House, according to a CBS News report. This condition only arises in the circumstance that the polls are at an absolute cliffhanger, which could indeed be an instance this time, as per a few pollsters.

When can this situation arise?

In the case that there is a tie in the Electoral College, with a standing of a 269-269 votes, things could be in an utter fix, since there would be no majority deciding the future leader of the United States. Meanwhile, the key swing states could be very important in these situations, as they will help in decided who has the upper hand, not only in the US elections, but also in the Electoral College. Now it is then up to the House of Representatives to select the President and the Senate, the Vice President, in a contingent election, says a Fox News report.

FAQs:

Can Kamala Harris win in the Electoral