On January 6, the U.S. House elected a speaker. Members of the House were permitted to vote for anyone they wished. Fifteen individuals received at least one vote for Speaker. Here is a link to the vote.
Article One, Section Two, of the U.S. Constitution says that a new House shall elect a Speaker. The Constitution does not say the Speaker must be an elected member of the House, and members are permitted to vote for anyone, nominated or not. The Republican caucus had already nominated John Boehner for Speaker, and the Democratic caucus had already nominated Nancy Pelosi. But 28 members of the House voted for someone other than those two.
Three individuals who are not members of the House received a vote: Retired General Colin Powell received one vote from Jim Cooper (D-Tennessee). U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama received one vote from Gary Palmer (R-Alabama). U.S. Senator Rand Paul received one vote from Curt Clawson (R-Florida).
Congressman Dan Webster (R-Florida) received twelve votes, all from Republicans. Webster voted for himself.
Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) received three votes, all from Republicans. Gohmert voted for himself.
Congressman Ted Yoho (R-Florida) received two votes, both from Republicans. Yoho voted for himself.
Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) received two votes, both from Republicans. Jordan did not vote for himself.
Six other members of the House received one vote, and one member of Congress voted “present” (which is an abstention).
These votes did not affect the outcome. Boehner received 216 votes and Pelosi received 164.
Voters who wish to vote for someone who hadn’t been formally nominated (in other words, voters who want to cast a write-in vote) are not permitted to do that in the general election in California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, or South Dakota. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.
So Boehner needed only a plurality of votes to win? He did not have a majority of the House vote for him…only 49.6% (216/435).
Is that right?
27 members of congress were not there, so did he need just a majority of those who were there? Also, South Carolina doesn’t allow write-ins for president. Ironic considering that’s how Strom Thurmond was first elected senator!!
435 gerrymander robot party hack MONSTERS at work – or NOT at work for the MIA folks [but still getting paid BIG cash].
P.R. and nonpartisan App.V.
Under Rule XX.11, blank ballots are rejected and not reported by the tellers.
If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, balloting continues indefinitely.
Richard Winger no doubt recalls the election of Speaker during the 34th Congress in 1855 and 1856.
The 28 votes did not affect the outcome because Boehner received a majority of the votes cast. By your standard, one could argue that the votes for Pelosi were frivolous as well.
Perhaps you could advocate for use of trial elections as used in New England during the 18th and 19th Century.
Qualification for appearing on the ballot for the 1st Trial would be the candidate appearing at the filing location with the requisite number of supporters. There would be no reason to have write-in filing for the first trial, and there would be no write-in space.
If no candidate received a majority of the ballots cast, a 2nd trial would be held. Candidates who received a modest level of support in the 1st trial, say 1%, would have their name printed on the ballot for the 2nd trial. And candidates below the threshold could request write-in status. Candidates could also request their removal from the ballot. New write-in candidates could also file, by appearing with the requisite number of supporters.
The process would be repeated indefinitely, with the threshold for appearing on the ballot increasing: 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%. Until the threshold reached 40%, a minimum of two candidates would appear on the ballot.
The winner needs only a majority of those voting. Most New York Democrats were at the funeral of Mario Cuomo, thus giving Boehner an easier time.
Interesting that 3 Congressmen voted for themselves for Speaker. It is protocol for a candidate for Speaker to vote Present rather than vote for himself.
In the 1920s and 1930s when Midwest Progressives put up their own candidate for Speaker, that person would not cast a vote, adhering to the same protocol as the Democrat and Republican leaders put up by their parties for Speaker. But current Congressmen have bigger egos, if that is possible.