what would happen if everybody wrote in themself for president

[HillGoose]

what then huh

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Then maybe whoever wins South Carolina wins the election. I suppose other States might be the same, but there is no write-in option on the Presidential ballot here.

[Starpaul20]

John Smith (or whatever the most common first/last name combo is) would become president.

Realistically, the popular vote would probably be chucked out and the electors would pick their own choice.

[SteveRogers]

I assume most Americans wouldn’t be qualified write-in candidates in their state, so most votes wouldn’t be counted. The state legislatures would have no choice but to appoint electors directly. If no candidate had a majority of electoral votes, the election would then get thrown to the House who would choose from the top 3. If every elector also cast a vote for themselves, then it’s not clear how the House would resolve a 538-way tie, so potentially whoever gets elected VP would become acting president on January 20th.

[Blue3]

Electors ignore results and vote the way they want, or the House decides.

[jimrtex]

I assume most Americans wouldn’t be qualified write-in candidates in their state, so most votes wouldn’t be counted. The state legislatures would have no choice but to appoint electors directly. If no candidate had a majority of electoral votes, the election would then get thrown to the House who would choose from the top 3. If every elector also cast a vote for themselves, then it’s not clear how the House would resolve a 538-way tie, so potentially whoever gets elected VP would become acting president on January 20th.

In Texas, write-in candidates have to file, and include a vice-presidential candidate and 38 elector candidates (with their formal consent).

I think a popular election tie would be resolved by lots.

[Benjamin Frank]

I asked a similar question to this when I was in Grade 9.  Being Canadian though I asked 'what happens if every elected Member of Parliament is an independent.  How could a government be formed then?"

My history and civics teacher replied something like "don't ask stupid, pointless questions with things that will never happen."