Who can be President?

      Any natural-born citizen of the United States who is over the age of thirty-five and has lived in the United States for fourteen years or more.

What does the President do?
      The President is the chief executive of the United States.According to the Constitution, he, "shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Frome time to time, he informs the Congress in his State of the Union message what has been done and what needs to be done.
      Although he cannot force the Congress to act, he can suggest a program or course of action for them to consider. And as a leader of his political party, he can often see that that program or course of action is carried out, when his party has the majority seats. He can also prevent Congress from acting by using his presidential veto.
      The President plays the chief part in shaping foreign policy. With the Senate's approval, he makes treaties with other nations and appoints ambassadors. But he can also make executive agreements with other nations without approval of the Senate.
      He nominates Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, and many other high officials.These nominations must be appoved by the Senate. However, he can fill thousands of other important posts under his own power.
      The President is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and commisions officers in all branches of the service.


How is the President elected?
      The voters of each state choose a number of electors equal to the number of senators and representatives they have in Congress. The electoral college, made up of electors from every state, then chooses the President by majority vote. The electors usually vote for the candidate supported by the voters in their state. When there are more than two presidential candidates and none gets a clear majority, Congress selects the President from the three candidates who received the most votes.
 Click here to see a map of electoral votes per state.

How long is the President in office?

      The President is elected to a term of four years. Since Aritcle XXII
of the Constitution became effective, in 1951, no President may
be elected to more than two terms.

When does the President take office?

      The new President takes office at noon on January 20 of the year
following his election, on taking this oath of office:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office
of the President of the United States , and will, to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

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Revised --7/09/01