2. U.S. National Government Foundations of United States CitizenshipLesson 5, Chapter 6 2

3. EXECUTIVE BRANCH

4. What is the function of the executive branch? The president heads the executive branch. The presidency is the top political job in the country. The president is considered to hold the most important job in the world. Foundations of United States CitizenshipLesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government 4

5. What are the requirements for the presidency? To become president, a person must be At least 35 years old A native-born American citizen A resident of the United States for at least 14 years Most U.S. presidents have shared certain characteristics. Only in the past few decades has the presidency become a possibility for a broader group of Americans. Foundations of United States CitizenshipLesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government 5

6. How is the president elected? Presidential elections take place every four years. The Constitution did not provide for direct popular election of the president. Foundations of United States CitizenshipLesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government 6

7. How is the president elected? (cont’d) To elect a president, the United States uses an indirect method called the Electoral College. Each state appoints electors. They will vote for one of the major candidates. When people vote for a candidate, they are voting for the electors pledged to that candidate. Foundations of United States CitizenshipLesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government 7

8. How is the president elected? (cont’d) Each state has as many electoral votes as the total of its U.S. senators and representatives. The Electoral College includes 538 electors. To be elected president or vice president, a candidate must win at least 270 electoral votes. The formal election by the Electoral College takes place in December. Foundations of United States CitizenshipLesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government 8

9. How is the president elected? (cont’d) Presidents serve four-year terms. Originally, Constitution had no term limits. The Twenty-Second Amendment, ratified in 1951, now limits each president to two elected terms in office. A maximum of 10 years total time in office is permitted. The president receives a salary and benefits. Salary is $400,000 per year. Upon completion of term a former president receives $200,000 per year retirement pay. Foundations of United States CitizenshipLesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government 9

10. How is the vice president elected? (cont’d) Vice president is elected with president through Electoral College. Same qualifications as presidency Constitution gives little authority to vice president Becomes president if president dies, is removed from office, is seriously ill, resigns Foundations of United States CitizenshipLesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government 10

11. What are the rules for presidential succession? Original wording of Constitution for presidential succession unclear 1947: Presidential Succession Act 1967: Adoption of 25th Amendment to answer remaining questions Amendment has been used only three times. Foundations of United States CitizenshipLesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government 11