[TomGuy]

Per some other threads, a plurality (number of members present) can elect the speaker.

How soon before the Dems leave, creating a plurality situation that hands the speakership to McCarthy without having to attain 218?

[Svartalfiar]

Per some other threads, a plurality (number of members present) can elect the speaker.

How soon before the Dems leave, creating a plurality situation that hands the speakership to McCarthy without having to attain 218?

Other threads are wrong. If a plurality was required, then every year it'd be a single vote, and this time the Dems would have won. Plurality is simply the guy with the most votes.

What is required is a majority of those present. So if a bunch of Dems go home, McCarthy could win despite the Conservative resistance. And since he's the most Dem-friendly option the Pubbies will likely put up, I don't know why the Dems don't let him win. Optics probably. Gotta wait a few days then people can just not show up :p