Executive Branch
Objectives
• Learn the qualifications, duties, and
responsibilities of the Executive Branch of
government.
Article II
Article II of the
Constitution states that “The
Executive Power shall be
vested in a President of the
United States of America.”
Qualifications
• A natural born citizen.
• 35 years old.
• A resident of the United States for 14 years.
Duties of President
The President has many duties:
Chief diplomat, commander in
chief, chief of state, and
legislative leader.
Chief Diplomat
As chief diplomat the president directs foreign policy, appoints
ambassadors, and negotiates treaties with other nations.
Commander in Chief
The President commands all of the nations military forces. They
can go into action both at home and abroad. But there are
limitations on lengths of deployment.
Chief of State
A symbolic role. The President represents our nation in greeting
foreign leaders and diplomats.
Legislative Leader
He proposes to Congress legislation he wants to help carry out
his policies and programs.
Miller Ties
Sun Min, Miller Class of 1985.
Director of Admissions
Bernard University, New York
City.
Presidential Ascendancy
In case of the death,
resignation, or disability of the
president, the vice president
will become the president.
Presidential Ascendancy
Speaker of the House
President Pro
Tempore of Senate
Presidential Ascendancy
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Cabinet positions in order of creation:
State
Treasury
Defense
Attorney General
Interior
Agriculture
Cabinet
The heads or secretaries who lead various departments and help
the president in running the day to day activities of the country.
Electing the President
Presidential elections are held on the first Tuesday following the
first Monday in November during leap year. All members of the
House and one third of the Senate are also elected.
Electoral College
The Electoral College is a group chosen by the states to elect the
President.
Distribution of Members
Just like representation in Congress. Each state has members
in the Electoral College equal to its representation in Congress.
For example, The state of Washington has 10 members in the
House and 2 members in the Senate. Added together,
Washington has 12 Electoral votes.
Election Day
Across America, people vote
(popular vote). The candidate
who receives the most popular
votes wins that state’s
electoral vote.
Counting Electoral Votes
In order to win the Presidency on election day a candidate must
win a majority, 270 or more Electoral votes.
What If?
If no candidate wins 270 votes, then the House of Representatives
creates a ballot with the top three vote getters on it. The House has
decided the election twice (1800 & 1824).