1. Article 2 – The Executive Branch
YOUR CONSTITUTION
Article 2 – The Executive Branch

2. Section 1 - President & Vice-President
The President is responsible for carrying out the laws made by congress and for upholding the Constitution.
The term of office for President and Vice-President is four years.

3. Electors
Our President and Vice-President are picked by an indirect system called the Electoral College.
When people vote, they actually choose electors.
Each state has as many electors as they have members of Congress (Senators + Representatives = Electors).

4. Election of President & Vice President
The original method for choosing the President and Vice-President did not work very well.
In 1804 the 12th Amendment to the constitution changed the method of picking these offices.
There are two separate ballots for President and Vice-President. Electors vote separately for each office.

5. Time of Election
The date set for public elections is the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
The Electoral College meets in December.
A new President and Vice-President begin their term in January.

6. Qualifications Must have been born a citizen of the U.S.
Must be at least 35 years old.
Must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

7. Vacancy in the Office of President
If the President is unable to carry out his duties (death, resignation, impeachment), the Vice-President takes over.
The Presidential Succession Act lists who will succeed (replace) the president:
Vice-President
Speaker of the House
President pro tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
Other members of the President’s Cabinet in an order defined by the act

8. Salary The President is paid $400,000 per year.
He also has a $50,000 expense account and is given money for travel and official entertaining.
The Vice-President is paid $181,400 per year and $10,000 for expenses.
The salary cannot be changed during a President’s term.

9. Oath of Office
Before officially taking office the President must be sworn in.
The oath of office states: “I do solemnly swear 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.”

10. Sections 2 & 3– Powers & Duties of the President
The President wears many hats!
(He has many jobs.)

11. Chief Executive
The President is responsible for carrying out the nation’s laws.
The President may also grant reprieves (delay punishment) or pardons (excuse crimes).
Many executive departments and agencies assist the President with this job.

12. Chief Diplomat The President: directs foreign policy
appoints ambassadors (with Senate approval).
negotiates treaties with other nations (must be approved by 2/3 vote of Senate)

13. Commander-In-Chief
The President is the supreme commander of the armed forces.
The President CANNOT declare war, but he can send troops to other parts of the world for 60 days.
Congress must approve longer troop deployments.

14. Chief of State The President represents the American people.
He hosts foreign ambassadors, visits foreign nations, and bestows honors on Americans.

15. Legislative Leader
The President proposes laws to Congress and works for their passage.
In the annual State of the Union address, the President presents his goals for the country.

16. Section 4 – Impeachment of Federal Officers
Any Federal official can be impeached (charged with wrongdoing) by the House of Representatives.
The Senate acts as the court to determine guilt.