Print the page
Increase font size
How to "Legally Cheat" in the Election

How to "Legally Cheat" in the Election

James Altucher

Posted November 05, 2024

James Altucher

There's something weird about our Constitution that nobody talks about.

It's not about voter fraud or rigged machines - it's about actual legal ways the election results could theoretically be changed after the fact.

I talked about this recently on my latest podcast.

Let me break it down.

(And show you whether or not it’s likely.)

As you know, when you vote for president, you're not really voting for president. You're actually voting for a bunch of electors who then vote for president.

Each state gets a certain number of these electors based on their size. Win the state, win all its electors (except in Maine and Nebraska).

But there are loopholes to “legally cheat”.

Loophole #1: The State Legislature Slowpoke

According to the Constitution (I've read it, not fun), state legislatures have TOTAL POWER over how electors are chosen.

They don't technically have to follow the popular vote.

But here's the really sneaky part: there's no strict timeline for when states have to submit their electors. So theoretically, a state could just... not send them in time.

If enough states did this, you wouldn't need 270 electoral votes to win anymore - you'd just need a majority of whatever electors actually showed up to vote.

Loophole #2: The 14th Amendment Twist

This one's specifically relevant to certain candidates who've been impeached for insurrection.

The 14th Amendment (added after the Civil War) says if you've "engaged in insurrection," you can't hold federal office.

Why These Loopholes Probably Won't Matter

I've spent years studying systems that can break - markets, businesses, economies.

The American election system is like a really old car. It's got some weird quirks, but it basically works.

These loopholes exist, but using them would be like trying to cheat at poker in front of a thousand cameras.

Technically possible, practically insane.

I’ll explain why, and show you what will happen if Democrats wave the “insurrection” card, on my podcast.

Check the full version out here.

Super Bowl Spycam

Posted February 11, 2026

By Chris Campbell

Collecting everything used to win by default. Now using less, better, wins.

The Case Against Doom

Posted February 10, 2026

By Chris Campbell

The risk of rejecting decay-as-destiny is limited, while the upside remains tremendous.

There Will Be No Jobs

Posted February 09, 2026

By Chris Campbell

The job is cracking. Let’s follow the money.

Why I’m Getting on a Plane

Posted February 06, 2026

By Chris Campbell

Maybe Moore’s Law isn’t dead after all. Maybe it just stopped being obvious. And maybe that’s about to change.

How I’m Playing Crypto Right Now

Posted February 05, 2026

By Chris Campbell

Avoid leverage, average patiently, and own assets that work.

If xAI Is the Brain, SpaceX Is the Skull

Posted February 04, 2026

By Chris Campbell

The question isn’t whether things are moving. It’s whether your portfolio is cleared for departure.