A Historical Perspective on Alternate Electors: Lessons from Hayes-Tilden

A Historical Perspective on Alternate Electors: Lessons from Hayes-Tilden

Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., stand after to reading the final certification of Electoral College votes cast in November's presidential election during a joint session of Congress, after working through the night, at the Capitol on January 7, 2021 in Washington, DC.

The attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election has raised questions about a historical example in which self-proclaimed electoral votes were sent to, and considered by, Congress.