The Pittsburgh Press (September 21, 1944)
If nominee dies, here’s routine
Washington (UP) –
The Democratic and Republican National Committees would name presidential or vice-presidential candidates if either post on the party tickets were vacated by death, resignation or for other reasons between the time of their nomination and the meeting of the Electoral College, officials said today.
Electoral votes are counted on Jan. 3 following each presidential election to choose the President-elect and the Vice President-elect.
If a vacancy should occur in the office of President-elect between the counting of the electoral votes and the date of inauguration, the Vice President-elect would become President.
Discussion of this situation was precipitated by Tuesday’s accident involving the train carrying Republican presidential nominee Thomas E. Dewey on a cross-country campaign tour.