Donald Trump has suggested he could refuse to concede should he lose to Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8. But, it turns out, that doesn’t really matter.
“It doesn’t really make a difference,” said Michael Traugott, research professor in the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan.
“It won’t have any legal standing. In his real estate business he’s used to suing people, but that’s not going to work in deciding the outcome of an election.”
At Wednesday night’s third and final presidential debate Trump was asked by moderator Chris Wallace if he would concede on election night, should he lose.
Trump reiterated his belief that the election is “rigged,” and avoided giving a “yes” or “no” answer.
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Asked pointedly about the tradition of “peaceful transition of power” in the U.S., Trump indicated he wasn’t sure.
“I will tell you at the time. I’ll keep you in suspense,” said Trump.
On Thursday, Trump said he would accept the vote’s results — if he wins.
Trump has been heavily criticized on his stance, with even some prominent Republicans indicating he’s crossing the line.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted a scathing rebuttal of Trump’s claims of a rigged system, saying it does the Republican Party and the United States a “great disservice”.
“If he loses, it will not be because the system is ‘rigged’ but because he failed as a candidate,” Graham’s statement read, in part.
Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake called it “beyond the pale.”
WATCH: Response to Trump’s refusal to commit to conceding
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Clinton calls Trump response to conceding election ‘horrifying’ -
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President Obama calls Donald Trump’s claim that he won’t accept election results ‘dangerous’ -
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Harry Reid blasts Trump over threat he won’t concede victory -
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Pence: Trump will ‘be elected president,’ shrugs off threat that he won’t concede Clinton victory -
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Jessie Jackson argues with Donald Trump Jr. over his father’s refusal to accept election outcome
The Republican presidential nominee’s stance is “unheard of,” said Traugott.
“One of the things that Americans pride themselves on is the straightforward transfer of power, at every level of politics whenever somebody has more votes than somebody else.”
“It’s acknowledged that the leading vote getter is the winner, and the person who loses congratulates the winner,” said Traugott.
IN DEPTH: 2016 U.S. presidential election
If Clinton has a clear victory in the electoral college, there’s no stopping her from accepting the win.
“He can’t physically stop her,” said Chris Edelson, assistant professor in the department of government in American University’s School of Public Affairs.
“You can’t really stop her from taking office.”
Elections are conducted at the state level; results can be contested, and there are recounts if the vote is very close. But a landslide win would generally be accepted, whether Trump likes it or not.
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“He can make it harder, he can rile up his supporters, he can try to taint her win, question her legitimacy,” said Edelson.
“But in a situation like that, it would be more about rhetoric and trying to poison the start of her presidency.”
It might come down to Trump’s running mate Mike Pence giving the concession speech, Edelson predicts.
Due to recent polling numbers, Traugott believes it’s likely Clinton could win by a margin so substantial the legitimacy of the polls won’t be questioned — even by Trump.
“I expect that he will lose by a sufficiently large amount, that the quality of the outcome won’t be in doubt at all, and in the end he will concede to the results.”
Americans will go to the polls on Tuesday Nov. 8.
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