Isabella Carter
The original US Constitution, drafted in 1787, did not provide for a directly elected executive. Instead, it established the Electoral College, a body of electors chosen by the states, who would select the President and Vice President. The Electoral College was intended to provide a check on the power of the federal government and prevent the executive from being subservient to the legislature. Over time, there have been numerous proposals to reform or eliminate the Electoral College, including the introduction of direct nationwide elections. Amendments to the Constitution, such as the Twelfth and Seventeenth Amendments, have also modified the process of selecting the President, Vice President, and senators.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of creation | 1787 |
| Amendments | 12th Amendment, 17th Amendment |
| Election of senators | Originally by state legislatures, changed to direct election by 17th Amendment |
| Election of president and vice president | By electors, outlined in 12th Amendment |
| Election of president if no majority | Given to the House of Representatives |
| Election of vice president if no majority | Given to the Senate |
| Oath of office | Yes |
| Presidential compensation | Yes, fixed during the period for which the president is elected |
| Presidential eligibility | Yes |
| Presidential selection system | Electoral College |
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What You'll Learn
The Electoral College
The 12th Amendment, ratified in 1804, outlines the procedure for electing the President and Vice President, including the requirement that they are elected together, and that electors must cast distinct votes for each. It also stipulates that one of the candidates must not be from the same state as the elector, and that in the case of a tie or no majority, the House of Representatives chooses the President, and the Senate chooses the Vice President.
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Presidential eligibility
The original US Constitution, drafted in 1787, did not provide for a directly elected executive. Instead, it established the Electoral College, a group of "electors" chosen by the states, who would select the President and Vice President. The Electoral College was designed to be independent of the legislature and to provide a base of support for the presidency.
The process of selecting the President and Vice President has been modified by several amendments to the Constitution, including the 12th Amendment, ratified in 1804, which outlines the procedure for their election. This amendment mandates that electors cast distinct votes for President and Vice President, with at least one of the selected candidates being from a different state to the elector. In the case of a tie or a lack of a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the President, and the Senate chooses the Vice President.
The eligibility requirements for the Presidency are not explicitly outlined in the original Constitution, but they have evolved over time through various amendments and interpretations. One key aspect of presidential eligibility is the citizenship and residency requirements. According to the 14th Amendment, only natural-born citizens of the United States, or citizens at the time of the Constitution's adoption, are eligible for the Presidency. Additionally, candidates must have resided in the United States for at least 14 years.
Another aspect of presidential eligibility is the age and term limits. To be eligible, an individual must be at least 35 years old and must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, limits a person to being elected President no more than twice, ensuring a two-term limit for the Presidency.
The process of selecting the President, including eligibility requirements, has been a subject of ongoing debate and proposals for reform. Over the years, there have been numerous proposals to amend the Electoral College system or move towards a direct popular election. While some argue for the importance of the Electoral College in maintaining a balanced and independent executive, others advocate for a more direct and simplified popular vote.
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Presidential compensation
The original US Constitution, drafted in 1787, did not provide for a directly elected executive. The president was to be chosen by the Electoral College, which was established in Article II, Section I of the Constitution. The Electoral College was designed to provide the presidency with its own base of support, rather than risk making the executive subservient to the legislature by having Congress select the president.
The president's compensation is addressed in Article II, Section 1, Clause 7 of the Constitution, also known as the Domestic Emoluments Clause. This clause stipulates that the president shall receive compensation for their services, which cannot be increased or decreased during their term of office. Initially set at $25,000 in 1789, the president's salary has been increased several times throughout history. As of 2001, the president's annual salary is $400,000, along with a $50,000 expense allowance, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account, and a $19,000 entertainment account. These allowances are intended to assist in defraying expenses related to the discharge of official duties. The president is also entitled to use the furniture and other effects belonging to the United States and kept in the Executive Residence at the White House.
The Twelfth Amendment, ratified on June 15, 1804, outlines the procedure for electing the president and vice president, specifically stating that they should be elected together. It mandates that electors cast distinct votes for the president and vice president, with at least one of the selected candidates being from a different state than the elector. In the case of a tie or a lack of majority, the House of Representatives chooses the president, while the Senate chooses the vice president. This amendment has effectively eliminated most ties and deadlocks in presidential elections.
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The Oath of Office
The original US Constitution, drafted in 1787, did not provide for the direct election of the executive branch. Instead, the Constitution established the Electoral College, a group of "electors" chosen by the states, who would select the President and Vice President. The Electoral College was designed as a compromise between the election of the President by Congress and by popular vote.
The Twelfth Amendment, ratified in 1804, outlines the procedure for electing the President and Vice President, requiring Electors to cast distinct votes for each office, with at least one of the candidates being from a different state to the Elector. In the case of a tie or a lack of a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the President, and the Senate chooses the Vice President.
The Electoral College remains in effect today, although it operates differently from its original design. Over the years, there have been numerous proposals to reform or eliminate it, with critics arguing for a direct, popular vote as a simpler and more accommodating system for voters.
> "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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."
This oath underscores the President's commitment to uphold the Constitution and faithfully carry out the duties of the office. It serves as a symbolic pledge to the nation, affirming the President's responsibility to defend the nation's founding principles and act in the best interests of the country.
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Seventeenth Amendment
The original US Constitution did not provide for a directly elected executive. The Electoral College, established in Article II, Section I, is responsible for electing the president and vice president. The Electoral College was created to provide the presidency with its own base of support and prevent the executive from being subservient to the legislature.
However, the Seventeenth Amendment (Amendment XVII) to the United States Constitution, ratified on April 8, 1913, established the direct election of United States senators in each state by its citizens. Senators were previously chosen by state legislatures, as outlined in Article I, Section 3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution. The Seventeenth Amendment altered this process and also changed the way Senate vacancies were filled, allowing for state legislatures to permit their governors to make temporary appointments until a special election could be held.
The push for the Seventeenth Amendment began as early as 1826, with resolutions calling for direct popular elections of senators appearing in the House of Representatives. However, none of these resolutions succeeded until the early 20th century, when a series of articles published in Cosmopolitan magazine in 1906 by novelist David Graham Phillips further galvanised public support for reform. In 1910, 31 state legislatures had passed resolutions calling for a constitutional amendment allowing direct election, and ten Republican senators who opposed reform lost their seats.
In 1911, Senator Joseph Bristow of Kansas offered a Senate resolution to amend the Constitution, and this was soon followed by other senators calling for reform. The House passed proposed amendments for the direct election of senators in 1910 and 1911, and by 1912, 29 states had elected US senators either as nominees of their party's primary or in a general election. These popularly elected senators became outspoken proponents for a direct election process.
The Seventeenth Amendment was proposed by the 62nd Congress in 1912 and was ratified by three-quarters (36) of the state legislatures. The transition to direct elections for senators began with two special elections in Georgia and Maryland, followed by the November 1914 election. The process was completed on March 4, 1919, when the senators chosen in the November 1918 election took office.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the original US Constitution did not provide for a directly elected executive. The Founding Fathers established the Electoral College, which forms part of the original design of the US Constitution. The Electoral College is a group of electors who select the President and Vice President of the United States.
The Electoral College is a group of electors from each state who meet to cast their votes for the President and Vice President. The number of electors from each state is equal to the number of that state's Representatives in the House plus its two Senators. The Electors are typically required to vote for the candidate who won the popular vote in their state.
Yes, there have been numerous attempts to reform or eliminate the Electoral College. Over the past 200 years, more than 700 proposals have been introduced in Congress to change the system. The Twelfth Amendment, ratified in 1804, was one such attempt to change the system by outlining the procedure for how Presidents and Vice Presidents are elected.
