Electoral College The Electoral College is an indirect method of electing a president. Each state appoints electors who vote for one of the major candidates. Though the ballot lists the names of the presidential candidates, when you vote for a candidate, you are actually voting for a list of residential electors pledged to that candidate. A presidential elector is an Electoral College member who actually chooses the president and vice president after the popular vote has been cast.

Questions 3-6 Each presidential term lasts for four years. The constitution states the qualifications for the U.S. presidency are 35 years of age, native-born U.S. citizenship, and U.S. residency for 14 years. The vice president presides over the Senate and votes in the Senate in case of a tie. John Adams is referring to the fact they he may become president.

Questions 7-9 According to the Twenty-second Amendment, the maximum number of years the president can serve in office is 10 years. If the president dies or is removed from office, the vice president becomes president. The Presidential Succession Act stated the line of succession after the vice president. If both the president and the vice president die or leave office, the Speaker of the House becomes president. Next in line is the president pro tempore of the Senate, then the secretary of state and other members of cabinet.

The 25 th Amendment The Twenty-fifth Amendment officially indicated presidential succession. If the president dies or leaves office, the vice president becomes president; it also gives the vice president a role in determining whether a president is unable to do the job.

Presidential Succession Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Sec. of Commerce Sec. of Labor Sec. of Health and Human Services Sec. of HUD Sec. of Transportation Sec. of Energy Sec. of Education Sec. of Veterans Affairs

President’s Powers Carry out laws Veto bills Call Congress into special session Command the armed forces Receive officials from foreign countries Make treaties Make appointments Issue pardons

Roles of the President Chief Executive Grant pardons and issue executive orders Chief Diplomat Makes decisions about how U.S. acts towards others Commander in Chief Can order troops into battle Legislative Leader Proposes legislation to Congress Head of State Ceremonial functions (lighting of the tree) Economic Leader Plans the federal budget Party Leader Helps political party raise money

Questions 3-4 During the State of the Union address, the president discusses the most important issues facing the nation and describes the new program of legislation he would like the Congress to take up. An executive order is a rule or command that has the force of law. This rule falls under the president’s constitutional duty to “take care that the laws are faithfully executed.”

Questions 5-6 A pardon is a declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment, whereas amnesty is a pardon toward a group of people. As commander in chief of the armed forces, the president is in charge of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guard. This role allows the president to back up foreign policy decisions with force if necessary.

Questions 7-9 Congress and the president both have the power to make war; Congress can declare war, but only the president can send American soldiers into battle. As head of state, the president is the living symbol of the nation. The president aids diplomacy by greeting kings and queens, prime ministers, and other foreign leaders and carrying out ceremonial functions. A president’s legislative program includes proposals for bills that the president wants Congress to pass.