Final answer:
If a quorum is not present in the Senate or the House, they may issue a quorum call to compel the attendance of absent members or adjourn temporarily. In presidential elections, a quorum requires members from two-thirds of the states, with a majority of all the states needed for a choice.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a quorum is not present in either the Senate or the House of Representatives, meaning that a majority of members are absent and therefore no votes can be formally taken, there are specific procedures each chamber can follow. The United States Constitution allows for a smaller number of members to adjourn from day to day and grants them the authority to compel the attendance of absent members in such manner, and under such penalties as each chamber may provide. This could include issuing a quorum call, which would require absent members to attend the session, or potentially adjourning temporarily if enough members cannot be gathered.
Moreover, in cases such as a tied vote or a situation where the needed supermajority is not reached, the status quo prevails, meaning that no change is affected as a result of the vote. During the election of a President by Congress, a quorum consists of members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states is necessary for a choice to be made.