Since Donald Trump has repeatedly refused to commit to accepting the election outcome, many people are asking: what would happen if he were to lose the presidency but refuse to accept defeat? We explain some possible scenarios: https://www.ft.com/content/c8767e22-a727-4a23-90bf-8d2844ca257a

In the event of a close result, we could have a constitutional crisis and violent unrest. Much rests on both candidates’ calculations, though neither would be able to dispute the election without the backing of state and federal party machinery https://www.ft.com/content/c8767e22-a727-4a23-90bf-8d2844ca257a

Any election dispute will probably unfold in three phases after polling day. States have until December 8 to resolve any disputes over the vote, with state electors casting their Electoral College votes on December 14 https://www.ft.com/content/c8767e22-a727-4a23-90bf-8d2844ca257a

In the event that no president is chosen by inauguration day on January 20, an acting president would serve as a caretaker. According to US law, this would be Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House, if she retains her position in the new Congress https://www.ft.com/content/c8767e22-a727-4a23-90bf-8d2844ca257a

But Republicans and Democrats might both claim that their candidate is the clear winner, meaning that Nancy Pelosi could not step in. Determining the outcome in such an unprecedented scenario would rely on political and popular pressure https://www.ft.com/content/c8767e22-a727-4a23-90bf-8d2844ca257a

The Pentagon has insisted the US military has no role to play in any election dispute and has openly discouraged Donald Trump from deploying troops to quell civil unrest https://www.ft.com/content/c8767e22-a727-4a23-90bf-8d2844ca257a

In the event of civil unrest, any role for the military would probably centre on the National Guard. But legal scholars stress that resolving a disputed election should come down to good faith and a willingness to reach a compromise https://www.ft.com/content/c8767e22-a727-4a23-90bf-8d2844ca257a