Can a president be elected during war time?

Answer 1

Yes there is no wartime exception or restrictions in the Constitution for holding presidential elections.

With that said, no sitting president who has run for reelection during a war has failed to be reelected.

Answer 2

The Constitution of the US has no provision for suspending presidential elections under any condition - including no provision to suspend elections during war time.

In fact several US presidents WERE elected during war time including:

James Madison (elected to 2nd term during the War of 1812)

Abraham Lincoln (elected to 2nd term during the Civil War)

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (elected to 4th term during World War II)

Dwight Eisenhower (elected during the Korean War)

John F. Kennedy (elected during the Vietnam War)

Lyndon Johnson (elected during the Vietnam War)

Richard Nixon (elected and re-elected during the Vietnam War)

Also it can be argued that George W. Bush was elected and Barack Obama elected and re-elected during the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The 2016 US election will almost certainly see a president elected during ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Answer 3

yes, because a president was elected during the civil war

Answer 4

When I went to Vietnam Lyndon B. Johnson was president. While I was there Richard M. Nixon was elected to the presidency. So yes, the US can, and has, changed presidents during wartime.

Answer 5

Yes, it has happened several time in history. For example, President Truman was inaugurated during WW2.

Answer 6

Yes. A time of war does not suspend the electoral process.

Answer 7

Yes. Elections go on as regularly scheduled during a war. A President could lose during war time and be replaced.

Answer 8

Yes, elections are held every four years regardless of circumstances.

Answer 9

Yes, George Washington is an example.