Constitution Handbook Articles 2 and 3 Executive and the Judiciary

Article 2 The Executive Section 1.1 Establishes the offices of the president and vice president Sets the term of office for 4 years President is the leader of the executive office Chief responsibility is to execute, carry out, the nations laws

Section 1.2 Electoral College Elects the President President and Vice President are elected by electors chosen by the states Each state has as many electors as senators and representatives

Section 1.3 Created the original rules for electing the president Electors used only one ballot for president and vice president Candidate with most votes became president Candidate with second most votes became vice president This system did not work well 1796: president and vice president from different political parties 1800: a tie between two candidates from the same party 12th amendment was passed in 1804: separate ballots for president and vice president

Section 1.5 Qualifications for President 35 years old Natural born citizen Resident of U.S. for 14 years

Section 1.6 Succession Explains what happens if President can not complete his term Vice President takes office if president is unable to complete term Congress will decide if both President and Vice President are unable to fulfill term

Section 1.7 and 1.8 Establishes the salary of the president President can not be rewarded or punished for political or official acts Establishes the oath of office

Section 2.1 Makes the president commander and chief of the armed forces Ensures the civilians have control over the military Helps the president balance the power of Congress to declare war

Section 2.2 President has the power to appoint ambassadors, federal judges, and other officers of the U. S. government President has the ability to make treaties Senate must approve the treaties Senate must approve the presidents appointments

Section 3 Duties of the President President must inform Congress of the State of the Union once a year Presidents State of the Union Address

Section 4 Explains that the president and other officers can be removed from office if they are impeached and convicted of certain crimes Treason, bribery, and other serious offenses

Article 3 The Judiciary Sets up the judicial branch of the federal government Supreme Court: highest court in the nation Judges server a life term, unless found guilty of a crime Salary can not be lowered while judge is in office Allows Congress to set up lower federal courts

Section 2 Lists the type of cases federal courts has jurisdiction over Ambassadors and public officials Admiralty and maritime issues, related to shipping U.S. government Disagreements between citizens of different states

Section 2.3 Protects citizens rights to a trial by jury

Section 3 Defines the crimes of treason Sets limits on the punishments Congress can establish for treason