Executive Branch

Enacts the Laws

The Basics

Executive Branch=The President, Vice President and Cabinet Advisors

Responsible for enforcing the laws

Requirements

President & V.P. must be natural-born citizens and must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years

President and V.P. must be at least 35 years oldPresidents serve 4 yr. terms and may only be

elected twice (max. of 10 yrs.)

Structure

President

Cabinet

Vice President

Checks & Balances

Power to appoint judges and cabinet officialsCan pardon (forgive) the sentences of people

convicted of a crimeCan veto laws

Electoral College

Electoral College

Citizens do not directly elect the President of the United States.

When we vote in a presidential election, we are actually voting for a group of people, called electors who actually cast their vote for President.

The number of electors for each state is equal to the number of Representatives and Senators it has.

Electoral College

If a candidate gets the most votes during the election, then he/she receives the votes of all of the electors from his/her political party.

Candidates need 270 votes to be elected.If no candidate earns 270, the House of

Representatives will determine the winner.

Presidential Election Results-2012