S7E17 · Election Day, Part 2

As the polls close, and results are tallied, emotions run high as the campaign teams make last minute calls to secure undecided votes. The heart-breaking news of Leo's death sends shockwaves through the Santos camp and the Bartlet administration. Meanwhile, Vinick disagrees with his campaign team on a number of issues, including their reaction to Leo's death. The long, razor-thin election campaign is finally over and the new President of the United States of America is declared. It's a sad day for all as Bartlet and his current staff, as well as some friends from the past, come together for Leo's funeral. And now President-Elect Matthew Santos must choose a new Vice President. C.J. and Danny enjoy a touching moment, and Charlie offers Donna career advice.

Plot summary and ending

Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.

Complete story — includes the ending

Leo McGarry has died of a massive heart attack. During an exhausting and adrenaline-filled night, the electoral votes come in as the Santos and Vinick campaigns wait anxiously. C.J. breaks the news of Leo's death to President Bartlet, and the news hits the airwaves less than an hour before polls close on the West Coast. After Santos and Vinick win their home states of Texas and California respectively, the two campaigns agonize over whether to mount legal challenges before final results are announced in Nevada and Oregon. In the end, both states break for Santos, who gives his election night speech as the President-elect. Note: The electoral college, as displayed in this episode, was accurate to the time of airing. If the subsequent, real-life presidential election had the same voting outcome, the results would match. Submitted as Emmy nominee for Outstanding Drama.

Sources and content license

Source and revision history · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, The West Wing season 7. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license