# Could Obama nullify the election results?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-obama-nullify-the-election-results/774861>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Created:** [December 16, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-obama-nullify-the-election-results/774861 "2016-12-16T16:14:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-obama-nullify-the-election-results/774861/21 "2016-12-17T05:18:32Z")

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> [@Okrahoma](#):
>
> Can’t. “He shall hold his office during the term of four years”. Not “four years or more, if circumstances warrant”.

> [@Northern\_Piper](#):
>
> This is covered by the 20th Amendment.
> 
> Section 1 states that the terms of the President and Vice-President end on January 20th.
> 
> Section 3 states that if a President has not yet been chosen or qualified on that date, then the Vice-President elect acts as President until a President is chosen. If there is neither a President chosen nor a Vice-President, congress can determine by statute who shall act as President until a President is chosen or qualified.
> 
> [Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twentieth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution)

Ah thanks!

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**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-obama-nullify-the-election-results/774861/22 "2016-12-17T18:17:04Z")

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> [@Trinopus](#):
>
> Obama could negate the election…but the military would have to go along with that.

What constitutional provision says that, exactly?

The OP is clearly asking about legal means, not a coup by force of arms.

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**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-obama-nullify-the-election-results/774861/23 "2016-12-17T18:58:49Z")

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> [@Colibri](#):
>
> What constitutional provision says that, exactly?
> 
> The OP is clearly asking about legal means, not a coup by force of arms.

Do let me know when the SDMB rules are changed to forbid snarky answers.

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