This chapter explores the intricacies of resolving close presidential elections through the case of the 1960 contest between Kennedy and Nixon. It discusses the implications of the electoral college, recounts the history of the electoral count act, and highlights the tense scenario in Hawaii with opposing slates of electors. The narrative further examines the challenges faced in certifying votes and the evolving roles of electors during a contentious election.
In this episode of our mini-series on presidential elections, we take a look at three examples of how states handled recounts in close elections. Are we in for a redo of Florida in 2000—or does Hawaii in 1960 provide a better example? A companion series of blog posts related to this episode can be found at http://takecareblog.com