Executive Leadership and Qualifications
The branch of government responsible for enforcing the nation's laws.
Executive Branch
Term of Office
The authorized four-year period an elected President serves.
The formal act of voluntarily leaving an office or position.
Resignation
20th Amendment
The amendment establishing January 20 at noon as the start and end of presidential terms.
The constitutional system through which electors formally elect the President and Vice President.
Electoral College
Formal Qualifications
The constitutional requirements a person must meet to serve as President.
The legal process that determines who assumes presidential duties when the President cannot serve.
Presidential Succession
Impeachment
The House of Representatives' formal accusation that a federal official committed serious misconduct.
The amendment limiting a person to being elected President twice.
22nd Amendment
Elector
A person selected to cast an official Electoral College vote.
A person who was a United States citizen at birth
Natural-Born Citizen
Line of Succession
The official order of individuals who assume the presidency if both the President and Vice President cannot serve
The process of forcing an official to leave office after a Senate conviction following impeachment.
Removal from Office
25th Amendment
The amendment explaining presidential disability, succession, and filling a vice-presidential vacancy
Votes cast directly by citizens during an election.
Popular Vote
Informal Qualifications
Personal qualities or experiences voters commonly look for in a candidate, though not constitutionally required.
An elected or appointed position that is temporarily unoccupied.
Vacancy
Ratified
Formally approved (such as a constitutional amendment approved by three-fourths of the states).
The amendment requiring electors to cast separate votes for President and Vice President.
12th Amendment
Electoral Vote
An official vote cast by a state elector for President or Vice President.
The President's role in enforcing laws and supervising the executive branch.
Chief Executive
Incapacitated
Being unable to perform official duties because of a serious illness or injury.
An official addition or change to the United States Constitution.
Amendment
Joint Ticket
A President and Vice President running together as a team in an election.
Receiving more than half of total votes; currently at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.
Majority