If the 2020 US presidential election is close, the race could drag on in the courts and halls of Congress long after ballots are cast, says lawyer and political commentator Van Jones. Explaining why the customary concession speech is one of the most important safeguards for democracy, Jones exposes shocking legal loopholes that could enable a candidate to grab power even if they lose both the popular vote and the electoral college -- and shares what ordinary citizens can do if there's no peaceful transfer of power.

Van Jones: What if a US presidential candidate refuses to concede after an election?

What if a US presidential candidate refuses to concede after an election?

The concession speech, an American tradition not mandated by law, plays a crucial role in a peaceful transition of power.

In a close election, a non-conceding candidate could trigger a constitutional crisis, challenging democracy's core principles.

Concession speeches, a non-mandatory tradition, crucially stabilize democracy by confirming electoral outcomes and unifying the nation.