if neither presidential candidate wins a majority of the electoral votes, it elects the president square

If neither presidential candidate wins a majority of the electoral votes, the president is elected by the House of Representatives. This is known as a contingent election and is outlined in the 12th Amendment to the United States Constitution. The House of Representatives elects the president from the top three candidates who received the most electoral votes. Each state delegation in the House casts one vote for one of the top three candidates. A majority of states (at least 26) is required to elect the president.