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So under the Presidential Succession Act of 1886, were the President and VP to both die in office, succession would devolve on all the various cabinet offices, starting with Secretary of State and moving downwards from there.

Under normal (non-nuclear war) circumstances, this should easily be enough people to ensure the office remains filled. But what happens if the Cabinet hasn't been appointed yet? To give a hypothetical: let's say Charles Evans Hughes wins in 1916 (close election) and after four years of war and rough economic times, he is soundly defeated by Speaker of the House Champ Clark (D-MO) and (selected for balance) former DNC head and Wilson confidante, William McCombs (D-NY). An eminently reasonable ticket.

But Vice President-Elect McCombs dies of ill-health in February of 1921 (as OTL), shocking the nation... and on March 2nd (again, as OTL), President-Elect Clark keels over, two days before the inauguration.

Who exactly becomes President? Is it Hughes' Secretary of State (whoever that is), who is (a) a Republican, and (b), hasn't been reappointed to the position by anyone and was clearly going to be replaced? Clark's choice for Secretary of State, which is presumably clear as of two days before the election, and a member of the right party - but not yet appointed? Anyone else?

What exactly happens?
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