Just came across this thread so I'm unsure if what I'm saying now has been discussed already....
Last week on the fivethirtyeight podcast they discussed how 39 states have now allowed or extended widespread absentee voting. So the election result may not be known for a week or more (the NY state election a month ago still does not have an official result). Also that more Republican voters vote in person so if Democrat voters do not bother mailing their vote then this could result in a major swing to Trump.
Well if there are legal disputes in various States, they should be settled before presidential electors need to vote on 16 December. These votes are tabulated in January.
Any subsequent legal disputes about the presidential electors‘ actions can also occur after that.
What are the qualifications to be an elector? The U.S. Constitution contains very few provisions relating to the qualifications of electors. Article II, section 1, clause 2 provides that no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall...
www.archives.gov
Now that will be interesting. Historically, the choice has not had a big effect on the overall result except in the VP's State (and maybe putting Cain's choice of Palin aside), but this year maybe different as he will choose a woman and maybe a coloured woman as well.
Given Biden's age, there is even a chance that this VP choice, if elected, maybe President in the next 4 years. But then again, Pence maybe President before 2024 as well.
I personally think it’s down to 4 choices
Senator Kamala Harris - probably most suitable, but did sledge Biden during the early primary phase and asa result some around Biden don’t trust her
Ambassador Susan Rice - probably next most suitable but doesn’t really make up for any policy weaknesses Biden might have and hasn’t run for elected office.
Senator Tammy Duckworth - purple heart Vet, from mid West, but having born outside US might give room for discussion whether birthright citizenship is the same as natural born requirement under the Constitution
Representative Karen Bass - would probably be a loyal VP, but doesn’t really offer generational change
Of course, there is a plethora of other options.
Being a VP doesn’t necessarily mean you get the big chair at the next election (2024) unless the President dies or is incapacitated in office (And maybe if elected but died or incapacitated before inauguration).