@chaski Said
I do think the "race" is getting closer, but I am not convinced that the USA isn't dumb enough to not re-elect him.
I hope to be wrong, but if I had to place a bet on the outcome I would still put my money on Trump.
Cheating is possible. Closing the USPS is unlikely.
Canceling the elections is also unlikely. Each state runs its own election process. Trump would have to find a way to cancel the elections in only the Democrat leaning states.
The reality is that, from a Constitutional perspective, an election much occur for Trump to remain president. The bottom line is that if the 2020 election is not held, Trump goes out of office at noon January 20, 2021. The chain of events, based on our Constitution, that would occur between November 3, 2020 and January 20, 2021 would result in a Democratic Senator becoming our president. (I can explain that to anyone who needs or wants it slayed out).
The only way Trump could maintain the Presidency without the 2020 election is if our Armed Forces decided to abandon our Constitution and support a Trump dictatorship.
I don't see that happening... as you stated a Civil War would erupt if it did.
If we don’t have an election:
Yes, the President pro tempore of the Senate would be in line to take over Jan. 20 if there is no election, but it is debatable whether the Democrats or the Republicans would be in charge in the Senate between Jan. 3 and Jan. 20 in electing this President pro tempore. Yes, eliminating the seats up for re-election in the Senate puts the Democrats (and independents) in charge at 33-30, but a majority of those seats up for re-election come from states with Republican governors who can possibly appoint people to those empty seats. It is not clear if they can in this instance.
So it would basically come down to the Supreme Court.
If we do have an election:
And yes, Trump probably won’t shut down the USPS, but he already is doing a lot to undermine its effectiveness, which is probably the next closest thing. The blatant manner this is occuring, the resulting outcry, and resulting voting rights lawsuits over this will only intensify as we get closer. And resulting complications could come on Election Day that will be the 2000 Florida fiasco on steriods, making the latter look like plain sailing.
So it will basically come down to the Supreme Court.
Stay alive RBG.