Steps to Becoming President

Choosing a candidate Should have the qualifications for president listed in the Constitution Should have the qualifications for president listed in the Constitution

Formal Rules to be President Born in the United States Born in the United States At least 35 years old At least 35 years old Must live in U.S. at least 14 years Must live in U.S. at least 14 years

Informal Rules - Traditions Male Male White (?) White (?) Protestant Protestant Upper-Middle Class / Rich Upper-Middle Class / Rich

Financing Raise money Raise money Have money Have moneyOr… Have friends with money Have friends with money

Starting the Campaign Develop a campaign team – Nationally, organize workers, create strategies and obtain polling information from voters. Develop a campaign team – Nationally, organize workers, create strategies and obtain polling information from voters.

Starting the Campaign Get on the Ballot in every state – Signatures of registered voters on petitions Get on the Ballot in every state – Signatures of registered voters on petitions

Campaigning Help the state and local campaign workers to organize political rallies. Help the state and local campaign workers to organize political rallies. At campaign appearances, make “crowd appropriate” speeches At campaign appearances, make “crowd appropriate” speeches

Primaries Presidential Primaries – “Pre- Election Election” held in 37 states Presidential Primaries – “Pre- Election Election” held in 37 states (Note – Only run against people in your own party)

Open Primary Any registered voter can vote for either party Any registered voter can vote for either party

Closed Primary Only vote for people in your own party Only vote for people in your own party

Caucus Non – binding selection of candidate delegates by registered voters. Non – binding selection of candidate delegates by registered voters. Vote is by paper ballot (single delegates) or show of hands. Vote is by paper ballot (single delegates) or show of hands.

Caucuses and Primaries First caucus is in Iowa (January) First caucus is in Iowa (January) First primary is in New Hampshire (January) First primary is in New Hampshire (January)

National Party Convention (July / August) Attended by Grassroots people – Average citizens who work in political campaigns in their hometowns Attended by Grassroots people – Average citizens who work in political campaigns in their hometowns Political party chooses their candidate – voting state by state, until someone has a majority. Political party chooses their candidate – voting state by state, until someone has a majority.

Campaigning Appearances in “swing” states – States that might vote for either candidate Appearances in “swing” states – States that might vote for either candidate Little or no personal appearances in states that are traditionally for the other party or have few electoral votes Little or no personal appearances in states that are traditionally for the other party or have few electoral votes

Debates Since 1976, Presidential candidates have taken part in televised debates Since 1976, Presidential candidates have taken part in televised debates Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Candidates must be prepared to answer any questions and practice prior to the debates Candidates must be prepared to answer any questions and practice prior to the debates

Election Day Get out the vote – first Tuesday after first Monday in November. Get out the vote – first Tuesday after first Monday in November. Candidate with 270 Electoral votes wins election. Candidate with 270 Electoral votes wins election.

However, the election is not official. However, the election is not official.

December Electoral voters meet in every state capital to secretly vote for President. Electoral voters meet in every state capital to secretly vote for President. Each secret ballot is placed in a Fed-Ex envelope and mailed to Washington D.C., where it will remain under lock and key Each secret ballot is placed in a Fed-Ex envelope and mailed to Washington D.C., where it will remain under lock and key Until… Until…

First Monday in January The President of the Senate (the Vice-President) opens the envelopes before a joint session of Congress, counts the ballots and Congress votes to certify the election. The President of the Senate (the Vice-President) opens the envelopes before a joint session of Congress, counts the ballots and Congress votes to certify the election. And then… And then…

January 20th The newly-elected President is sworn into office at noon time. The newly-elected President is sworn into office at noon time.