If a war does break out, what would happen to the election?

[nebula]

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or insights on this.

[OneLight]

There are many ways to look at this question.  If the war is not in the US, the question would be asked who is the best war time president between those who are running?  If the war happens to be in the US, there would be martial law and the elections would be stopped.

[Guest shiloh357]

18 minutes ago, nebula said:

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or insights on this.

If war broke out before Obama leaves office, worst case scenario,  he could declare a national state of emergency (Martial Law) and that would suspend everything including the Constitution and Congress.  At that point, the chain of command would be Obama and the Join Chiefs at the Pentagon.  He would be essentially a military dictator.

If it happens before the election takes place, there would like be no election again, because of the state of emergency.  Even if after the election, once the state of emergency is declared, the president elect would not take office.

[OneLight]

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_mlaw.html

This site has a nice simple way of explaining when martial law can be put into affect.  Here is the opening excerpt.

  "The Constitutional Topics pages at the USConstitution.net site are presented to delve deeper into topics than can be provided on the Glossary Page or in the FAQ pages. This Topic Page concerns Martial Law. Martial law is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, but the suspension of habeas corpus is mentioned in Article 1, Section 9, and the activation of the militia in time of rebellion or invasion is mentioned in Article 1, Section 8. The Topic Page for Military Justice may also be of interest. "

[Running Gator]

Short of the country being invaded by a foreign power or an open, violent rebellion nothing would happen if we were at war.  We have been in a state of war for the last 3 elections and they all went off without a hitch.  

Every 4 years since Bill Clinton was in office there is talk of the party in power declaring martial law and not having the election.  It is is valid as those who say they know when the world will end.

[nebula]

1 hour ago, Out of the Shadows said:

 We have been in a state of war for the last 3 elections and they all went off without a hitch.  

Things are a little different now though. Russia is threatening war, and Obama is threatening to do the very thing that Russia said it would declare war over.

Warring with terrorist groups is one thing. An engagement with Russia - major difference. 

(Note that I'm speculating what if scenarios, so please no arguments on whether anything is going to happen or not.)

[Running Gator]

3 minutes ago, Yowm said:

My hunch: Putin knows if we were put on the brink of war that would increase Trump's chance of winning. Putin is pushing the envelope.

What would happen if we were attacked? That would mean nuclear...let's not go there yet.

When our biggest rival on the planet is trying to sway the election one way or the other, you can be sure they are not doing it for our benefit. 

[missmuffet]

What do you do? You get on your knees and pray and trust Him.

[tigger398]

12 hours ago, OneLight said:

There are many ways to look at this question.  If the war is not in the US, the question would be asked who is the best war time president between those who are running?  If the war happens to be in the US, there would be martial law and the elections would be stopped.

Why would they be a law in usa, and what would it be about.

[tigger398]

Isn't it to late for martial law.