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Has anyone done any timelines where ALL designated successors to the presidency have been disabled, killed, or otherwise removed from the scene? Is there any continuation of government provision in such a situation? I suspect that, hidden away somewhere in the files of the darkest archives are contingency plans for such circumstances.

As things stand now, if the "designated survivor" is slain at the same time the rest of the government is, then there's no president, and no way of choosing one. There's no provisions in the constitution for picking even an acting president, and many things can't be done without a president.

I therefore present something I dreamed up last night, for anyone here to use for their own timeline, criticize, comment on, or improve. I could see it being enacted after a close call of some sort.


A deep presidential succession act



The Presidential succession as ordained by other acts, both previously and subsequent to this act, shall take precedence over the order listed herein; this act is to provide for presidential succession in the event that none designated by other acts shall be eligible.



If no candidate under the existing succession shall be eligible, than presidency shall fall to the seniormost eligible senator, determined as follows:

Time in the senate shall determine seniority

If multiple senators have equal time in the senate, then precedence shall be determined in the order of the senator’s state’s admission to the Union.

If both senators from that state should be equal in seniority, than the one from the first district shall be president.



If no Senator shall be eligible, than presidency shall fall to the seniormost eligible member of the House of representatives, determined as follows:

Time served in the House of Representatives shall determine seniority

If multiple Representatives have equal time in the senate, then precedence shall be determined in the order of the Representative’s state’s admission to the Union.

If multiple Representatives from that state should be equal in seniority, than the one from the lowest numbered district shall be president.



If no president shall be chosen, then a state governor shall be president, with precedent determined by the state’s order of entry into the Union.



If no president shall be chosen, then a state lieutenant governor shall be president, with precedent determined by the state’s order of entry into the Union.



If no president shall be chosen, then the senior surviving member of the United States Military shall be president.


Should anyone else be included before the military? Perhaps deputy cabinet members? Should the military be designated "Acting President," so that, should someone else be discovered alive, they take the position automatically?

I tried to make sure that the succession was unambiguous--and if it gets to the military, the USA is so messed up that it might not matter who gets the job anyway.

I left the judicial branch out altogether, as they would be the ones ruling on a disputed succession.

Mainly this is random thoughts that I present for the use of anyone who might consider writing a post-apocalyptic timeline. Thought? Ideas?
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