RL33780
Procedures for Contested Election Cases in the House of Representatives
February 20, 2008
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Summary
Under the U.S. Constitution, each House of Congress has the express authority to be the judge of the "elections and returns" of its own Members (Article I, Section 5, clause 1). Although initial challenges and recounts for the House are conducted at the state level, under the state's authority to administer federal elections (Article I, Section 4, cl. 1), continuing contests may be presented to the House, which, as the final arbiter, may make a conclusive determination of a claim to the seat.
