Direct Election

[American2020]

Imagine the POTUS is directly elected from the popular vote.
What'd be the process ?
Should be held on one or two rounds ?
How Election nights on TV would be ?
Describe realistic scenarios in case of direct election of the POTUS.

[hurricanehink]

Alaska-style system baby! I'll add a requirement that voting is mandatory.

A nationwide primary is held in all 50 states, three months before election day, where the top four vote getters advance to the general election. The general election is then determined by ranked-choice voting. If anyone receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary, they win outright and there is no need for a 2nd round. Most election nights are treated as a brief news story, more about turnout and the issues, as generally the results aren't known for a few days.

In 2012:
Incumbent President Obama faces token Democratic opposition from Bernie Sanders (who places 4th on primary day), verses Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. Sanders is eliminated in the first round, and his share of the votes pushes Obama above the 50% mark to secure his reelection.

In 2016:
Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, and Ted Cruz all advance to the general election. Cruz is eliminated first, and most of his votes are split between Sanders and Trump. Trump is eliminated second, and most of his votes go to Sanders. Despite coming in 3rd in the first round, Sanders then wins the popular vote.

In 2020:
Incumbent President Sanders wins in the first round.