I’ve thought of that, laughed at the thought that Sarah Palin could get in that way. Wouldn’t it be hilarious? lol.
But we don’t really know how that would work either. People claim that Congress can choose to reject electoral votes on the basis of ineligibility, even though the 3USC Section 15 gives them no discretion to reject votes that are properly certified by the States. Depending on how Hillary timed things they might get the electoral votes disqualified before the certification of the election and Cruz wouldn’t get any electoral votes, thus giving the win to Hillary. Or they could have Cruz disqualified before Dec 15th and the electors would have to vote for somebody else because they can’t vote for somebody known to be ineligible... Or she could have him disqualified from being placed on a ballot at a time when the GOP couldn’t get somebody else on the ballot in his place...
When the other side cheats (as you say), who knows what is possible? That’s why having the rules laid out clearly in stone AHEAD OF TIME is so important. That’s really what the 2000 election was about. We’ve seen what happens when dems are able to work the system in mid-process. That’s how you get Sen Al Franken... or Lisa Murkowski (which shows that it will happen with the AID of the GOP-e also...)
The 20th amendment controls, I believe.
If the president doesn’t qualify, thent the VP becomes president until a president does qualify. I take that to mean a new election.