The President and Vice President Chapter 7 Section 1

The President Video

The Executive Branch Article II of the Constitution Article II of the Constitution Enforces laws Enforces laws Head of the Executive Branch Head of the Executive Branch

The President Requirements Requirements –At least 35 years old –Native born American citizen –Resident of the US for at least 14 years Term Term –4 year terms –Can serve 2 terms or 10 years  Which Amendment set this?  What did it used to be?

The President cont Salary Salary –400,000 Benefits Benefits –Housing (White House, Personal Staff) –Office (White House, Personal Staff) –Vacation (Camp David) –Travel (Limos, Cars, Air Force One)

Vice President Same requirements as President Same requirements as President Presides over the Senate and only votes in case of a tie Presides over the Senate and only votes in case of a tie Assumes the Presidency if the President dies in office or resigns Assumes the Presidency if the President dies in office or resigns

President and Vice President President Barack Obama Democrat Senator from Illinois Vice President Joe Biden Democrat Senator from Delaware

Electoral College Presidential Elections take place every 4 years Presidential Elections take place every 4 years There is not a direct election for President There is not a direct election for President Instead, we use an indirect method known as the Electoral College Instead, we use an indirect method known as the Electoral College Electoral College- group of people named by each state legislature to select the President and Vice President Electoral College- group of people named by each state legislature to select the President and Vice President Popular Vote- total number of votes cast in the US for a particular candidate Popular Vote- total number of votes cast in the US for a particular candidate Electoral Vote- total number of electoral votes for a particular candidate Electoral Vote- total number of electoral votes for a particular candidate

Electoral College cont Each state has as many electoral votes as the total number of its US Senators and Representatives Each state has as many electoral votes as the total number of its US Senators and Representatives –So how many does NC have? Total amount of Electoral Votes is 538 Total amount of Electoral Votes is 538 –But the total number of people is Congress is 535 (HoR Senate 100=535) –where are the other 3 votes from? Each state has “winner take all system” Each state has “winner take all system” If the candidate wins the state’s popular vote by even 1 vote, he/she takes all of the state’s electoral votes– the votes are not split! If the candidate wins the state’s popular vote by even 1 vote, he/she takes all of the state’s electoral votes– the votes are not split!

Electoral College cont To win the Presidency a candidate needs 270 of 538 Electoral Votes To win the Presidency a candidate needs 270 of 538 Electoral Votes If candidate does not receive 270 Electoral votes the House of Representatives decides the winner If candidate does not receive 270 Electoral votes the House of Representatives decides the winner –This happened in 1800 and 1824 The winner is usually announced that night The winner is usually announced that night We vote the 1 st Tuesday after the 1 st Monday in November We vote the 1 st Tuesday after the 1 st Monday in November But the official results are announced in December when electors meet and vote But the official results are announced in December when electors meet and vote Results are sealed and then opened and read to both the HoR and Senate on January 6 th Results are sealed and then opened and read to both the HoR and Senate on January 6 th President is sworn in at noon on January 20th President is sworn in at noon on January 20th

Becoming President

Presidential Succession William Henry Harrison was the first to die in office William Henry Harrison was the first to die in office –Constitution said VP shall assume all duties and responsibilities –What does that mean? Become President? His Vice President John Tyler declared himself President, took the oath of office, and served the remainder of his term His Vice President John Tyler declared himself President, took the oath of office, and served the remainder of his term 8 President’s have died in office or resigned from office and have been replaced by their VP 8 President’s have died in office or resigned from office and have been replaced by their VP

Presidential Succession cont Presidential Succession Act Presidential Succession Act –Passed by Congress in 1947 –Established a line for succession 25 th Amendment 25 th Amendment –If President dies or leaves office VP takes over –New President picks a new VP