Essential Question How do we select the president of the United States?

Qualifications for President

The Constitution In Article II, Section 1, the Constitution defines requirements for president List 3

Presidential Term The Constitution did not specify how many terms a president could serve in office Which president broke the 2 term precedent set by Washington?

Twenty-second Amendment 1951 Presidents may only serve a maximum of two terms or ten years in office

Presidential Succession Eight presidents have died in office Four by natural causes Four by assassination

Twenty-fifth Amendment If the President is removed from office, the Vice President takes over

Twenty-fifth Amendment If the Vice Presidency becomes vacant, the President nominates a vice president to be confirmed by a majority of Congress

Succession Act of 1947 Established the line of presidential succession

Presidential Succession 1. Vice President 2. Speaker of the House 3. President pro tempore of the Senate 4. Secretary of State 5. Secretary of the Treasury 6. Secretary of Defense 7. Attorney General

Presidential Roles

The Office of the Presidency There are seven key roles for the President

1. Head of State The chief diplomat Represents the nation in ceremonial roles

2. Chief Executive Sees that the laws of Congress are carried out

Executive Orders President may pass a rule that has the force of law

Presidential Appointments Appoints federal officials around the U.S. May remove officials if needed

Reprieves and Pardons Reprieve – postponement of legal punishment Pardon – release from legal punishment

3. Chief Legislator Propose legislation Usually described in the State of the Union address

Veto Power Each bill Congress passes is sent to the president for approval May sign the bill, veto it, or lay it aside

4. Economic Planner Prepare a federal budget each year Decide which government programs to support and which to cut back

5. Party Leader Appoints party members to many government jobs Help create the platform for their party Fund-raising for campaigns

6. Chief Diplomat Directs foreign policy for the U.S. Receive information from the CIA, the State Department, the National Security Council

Power to Make Treaties Negotiate agreements with other countries The Senate ratifies these treaties

Executive Agreements Pacts between the president and the heads of foreign governments Recognition of foreign governments

7. Commander in Chief Back up foreign policy decisions with military force

Power to Make War Shares this power to Congress President is responsible for key military decisions

Nuclear Weapons The president has the authority to order the use of nuclear weapons

Domestic Conflicts President may use the military to control serious disorders within the nation

The Presidential Election

The Road to The Election Direct primary In each state party members select people to run in the general election

State Primaries The candidate with the most votes wins that state First primary held in February, last in June

Nominating Conventions States elect delegates to attend the convention where the official nomination occurs

The General Election Democrats Republicans Third Parties

How Do We Elect the President? Is it a direct, popular vote?

When Do We Vote? The Tuesday after the first Monday in November

The Electoral College Created in Article I, Section 2 Each state will choose electors

How Many Electors? Number of senators plus number of members of the House in Congress Plus 3 from the District of Columbia 538 total

Electoral College Winner take all system The winner of the popular vote in a state gets all electors

Exceptions? Maine and Nebraska

Electoral College Meets on the Monday following the second Wednesday of December Ballots cast, official count taken

No Winner? If the election does not give a majority of electoral college votes to one candidate, what happens?

No Winner? The House of Representatives chooses the president Each state has one vote

The Inauguration The new president takes office at noon on January 20 th of the following year

Oath of Office I do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Impeachment - Constitution Article II, Section 4: “May be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

The Impeachment The House has the sole power to impeach To bring charges Requires a majority vote

The Trial The Senate has the power to try the case or sit as a court The Chief Justice presides if the President is being impeached Requires a two-thirds vote

Removal from Office Only if convicted by the Senate May be acquitted or found not guilty