Problems may only begin after Election Day

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Here in a county that knows a thing or two about Election Day meltdowns, both parties are fretting over what might go seriously wrong before, during or just after the Nov. 6 presidential election.

"More than 50 percent of the provisional ballots are thrown in the trash in this state," Florida state Rep. Mark Pafford said last week.

That's only a slight exaggeration -- 48 percent of the provisional ballots cast in Florida in 2008 were rejected. And Pafford's warning underscores states' anxiety about legal challenges, ballot problems or bizarre outcomes.

Even if everything goes smoothly, it's conceivable the nation will awaken to an Electoral College tie between President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney. That would throw the decision to the House of Representatives.

A 269-269 Electoral College tie is unlikely but far from impossible. It could result, for instance, if Romney wins all the competitive states except Ohio, Wisconsin and New Hampshire.

One scenario might cause some voters to question the fairness of presidential elections.

Suppose Obama wins more popular votes than Romney, but the two are tied in the Electoral College. The Constitution gives each state delegation to the House one vote, meaning a small state such as Idaho has more proportional clout than a big state like California. If the post-2012 House looks like the current one, Republicans in control would almost surely name Romney president.

Under another scenario, however, it would be Republicans howling in anger. Obama might lose the national popular vote but win the Electoral College vote by squeaking past Romney in Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa, while losing Florida and all the other competitive states.