How do elections for Speaker of the House work?

To be elected, a candidate must receive an absolute majority of votes cast, which may be less than a majority of full membership of the House, because of absentees ... read more

There are no standing rules of the House governing the selection of the Speaker, except only to mention that there is to be an election in the case of a vacancy in the position. Going by tradition, then, on the day of the election, the Clerk will take nominations from the whole House. read more

The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives. The office was established in 1789 by Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution. The Speaker is the political and parliamentary leader of the House of Representatives, and is simultaneously the House's presiding officer, de facto leader of the body's majority party, and the institution's administrative head. read more

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is elected by the comprising members of the House. The election process is based on a simple majority vote. read more