USG 8 Flashcards
Responsibility of the Executive Branch
carries out and enforces laws. It includes the president, vice president, the Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies
22 amendment
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.
electoral college
In other U.S. elections, candidates are elected directly by popular vote. But the president and vice president are not elected directly by citizens. Instead, they are chosen by “electors” through a process called the Electoral College (Links to an external site.).
Process of electoral college
- After you cast your ballot for president, your vote goes to a statewide tally. In 48 states and Washington, D.C., the winner gets all the electoral votes for that state. Maine and Nebraska assign their electors using a proportional system.
- A candidate needs the vote of at least 270 electors—more than half of all electors—to win the presidential election.
- In most cases, a projected winner is announced on election night in November after you vote. - -
- But the actual Electoral College vote takes place in mid-December when the electors meet in their states.
- The Constitution doesn’t require electors to follow their state’s popular vote, but it’s rare for one not to.
Special Situations
- Winning the Popular Vote but Losing the Election
It is possible to win the Electoral College but lose the popular vote. What Happens if No - Candidate Wins a Majority of Electoral Votes?
If no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, the vote goes to the House of Representatives. House members choose the new president from among the top three candidates. The Senate elects the vice president from the remaining top two candidates.
How to Change the Electoral College
The Electoral College process is in the U.S. Constitution. It would take a constitutional amendment to change the process.
Powers of the president
Act as the commander-in chief of the armed forces
Maintain a cabinet of advisors
Grant pardons and reprieves for federal criminal offenses
Negotiate treaties with other countries
Appoint ambassadors, Supreme Court Justices and federal court judges, and Cabinet members
Make a State of the Union Address to Congress
Represent the United States when dealing with foreign countries
Make sure that laws are executed
Checks and Balances
checks and balances, principle of government under which separate branches are empowered to prevent actions by other branches and are induced to share power. Checks and balances are applied primarily in constitutional governments.
Pardons
A pardon is an expression of the President’s forgiveness and ordinarily is granted in recognition of the applicant’s acceptance of responsibility for the crime and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or completion of sentence
Reprives
cancel or postpone the punishment of (someone, especially someone condemned to death).
Executive Order
Rules and regulations that government officials must follow.
How many electors does the winner of the Presidential election need?
270
How are executive orders limited?
They may not violate the Constitution or laws passed by Congress.
Who chooses the new president if no one wins the Electoral Process?
The House of Representatives
What is the process by which the President is elected?
electoral collage
