How the GOP Would Fill a Vacancy on the Presidential Ticket

Under Rule 9, the RNC can fill “all vacancies, which may occur by reason of death, declination, or otherwise" of the candidate.

There may be no indication that Donald Trump is leaving the presidential race or that there will be any attempt to remove him. But the Republican Party does have rules to deal with a vacancy on the ticket, according to NBC News. 

Rule 9 of the party states the Republican National Committee can fill “all vacancies, which may occur by reason of death, declination, or otherwise" of the candidate.

Under the rule, the RNC can either reconvene the entire convention or convene the committee’s 168 members, consisting of three members from each state and territory to represent the delegates. Those members would represent one-third of delegates awarded in each state and would cast a vote for a presidential candidate.

If the GOP no longer wants Trump as its nominee and he doesn’t drop out, the party could remove him. Lawyers defending the move could point to the “otherwise” portion of Rule 9 about when the RNC can intervene to replace a candidate.

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