The question is pretty much in the title. Let's say in state X, there are 3 candidates: A, B, and C. A wins 49% of the popular vote, B wins 49% of the popular vote, and C wins 2% of the popular vote. Clearly, no one has won a majority.
Who gets the electoral college votes in this case? Does it change if there is a clear plurality, but not majority, winner (ie, A wins 40%, B wins 30%, C wins 30%)?
I would imagine this varies state by state (and DC), but can't seem to find anything.
In most states, the candidate with the most votes will get the state's electoral college votes (or the district's electoral vote, in the case of Nebraska), regardless of whether or not this is a majority.
An exact tie is statistically very unlikely, and different states have different laws on dealing with them. Some states, such as California, will break the tie by lot. Other states, such as Georgia, do not set out in law what happens in the event of a tie.
Maine introduced ranked choice voting in this election. If no candidate gets an overall majority of the first-choice votes, then the candidate in last place is eliminated, votes previously counting for that candidate get transferred to the voter's second choice, and the process is repeated until a candidate does get an overall majority.
Whether it's a tie, a dispute, or no candidate gets a majority, the answer is the same. State law determines to who gets the votes.
From National Archives, Electoral College, Frequently Asked Questions,
A tie is a statistically remote possibility, even in smaller States, and would not be known until late November or early December, after a recount and after the Secretary of State for the State had certified the election results. But if a state’s popular vote were to end in a tie between candidates, State law would determine what procedure would be followed in breaking the tie (See 3 U.S.C. section 5).
Following the November 2017 election, one candidate for a Virginia House of Delegates seat was ahead by two (2) votes. Since the results were so close, there was a recount which found that one (1) vote had been miscounted. After the recount, the candidates had the same number of votes. Following State law, they drew lots for a winner. The candidates put their names on individual pieces of paper and put the pieces in a bowl. A neutral third party pulled a name out of the bowl and that candidate was declared the winner.
A very close finish could also result in a run-off election or legal action to decide the winner. Just like a tie, State law determines how the winner is decided, and would be conclusive in determining the selection of electors. The law provides that if States have laws to determine controversies or contests as to the selection of electors, those determinations must be completed at least six days before the meeting of the electors.
