What happens if....

[DMDarcs]

What happens if no one votes in a presidential election? I'm not looking to make any type of political statement supporting or denouncing any of the current presidential candidates. But, seriously, what happens if on election day, NOBODY votes? Not a single person. No absentee votes or proxies. Everyone decides not to vote. What's the next step? I'm not asking for a fictional scenario....what would actually happen?

[akiva]

According to the Constitution, it doesn't matter. The president is elected by the Electoral College. Each state gets to decide how to allocate its electoral votes. So states would find ways to allocate them.

[DMDarcs]

I suspected that was the answer, but was secretly hoping something else would actually happen.

[Elle]

If nobody votes, the circuit court of each district in the U.S. except D.C. has to nominate ten people who reside in that circuit, are otherwise qualified to be President, and are known for their superior expertise in some area as well as demonstrated commitment to community service. All the hundred-plus candidates are locked into the Capitol building until, pope-style, they send up smoke indicating they have selected the two best from among themselves to compete in a runoff election. Their methods of selecting the two must remain entirely secret. If nobody votes for the two selected to run, they must mud wrestle for the Presidency.