Isabella Carter
In a presidential democracy, citizens vote for two key positions: the president and the vice president. The president is the chief executive and holds significant power, including the ability to veto laws passed by the legislative branch. The vice president is the president's running mate and serves as their support. The process of electing these leaders can vary, with some countries, like the United States, utilising an Electoral College system where citizens vote for electors who then choose the president and vice president. Other countries may have a more direct voting system for these top positions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of positions elected | Two |
| Names of the positions | President and Vice President |
| Who elects these positions | Citizen voters |
| Powers of the President | Executive powers, including the ability to veto laws passed by the legislative branch |
| Powers of the Vice President | Not explicitly mentioned, but likely holds powers similar to those of the President in their supporting role |
| Election process | The Electoral College: citizens vote for "electors" who are pledged to vote for a certain candidate |
| Inauguration | January |
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What You'll Learn
Citizens elect a president
In a presidential democracy, citizens elect a president and vice president. The president is the chief executive and holds executive powers. They can also veto laws passed by the legislative branch. The presidential system can be traced back to its modern form in the U.S. Constitution and is also common in most Latin American countries.
In the United States, the Electoral College plays a unique role in the election of the president. While citizens do vote for a president, they are technically voting for "electors" who are pledged to vote for a particular candidate. The number of electors for each state is determined by its population and representation in Congress. This can result in a candidate winning the popular vote but losing the Electoral College vote, as seen in the 2000 and 2016 elections.
The process of nominating presidential candidates has evolved from backroom deals to a system that gives citizens a voice in selecting nominees. Primaries and caucuses are held for party members to discuss and vote for their preferred candidate, who will then represent the party in the general election.
In addition to the president, citizens in a presidential democracy may also elect a parliament or legislative branch, which then chooses a prime minister or chancellor. This system is common in countries that previously had monarchs, such as Germany, France, and India. The role of the president in this context may be largely symbolic, as is the case in most parliamentary systems with a monarch, such as Great Britain and Sweden.
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Citizens elect a vice president
The Twelfth Amendment, ratified on June 15, 1804, outlines the procedure for how the President and Vice President are elected. Citizens elect a President and Vice President, with the candidate with the majority of electoral votes becoming President, and the candidate with the second-highest number of votes becoming Vice President. The Twelfth Amendment was a response to the 1800 election, in which Jefferson and Aaron Burr each received 73 electoral votes, resulting in Burr becoming Vice President.
The Vice President's role has grown in importance over time. Initially considered an afterthought, the Vice President's role began to grow in the 1930s, with the creation of the Office of the Vice President in 1939. The Vice President may preside over impeachment trials of federal officers, except when the President of the United States is on trial, in which case the chief justice of the United States must preside. The Vice President also serves as President of the Senate, although they do not regularly preside over the Senate, and they are not authorised to participate in debate. The Vice President is often considered a stepping stone to the Presidency.
The Twelfth Amendment also requires that the President and Vice President be from different states. This was to ensure that the President and Vice President were not from the same state as the electors voting for them.
In the event that no candidate for President receives a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives chooses the President, and if the House of Representatives does not choose a President by March 4 of the election year, the Vice President becomes President.
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Citizens elect senators
In the United States, citizens elect senators to represent their state in the Senate, one of the two chambers of Congress, the national parliament. The Senate is the upper house of Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower house. Senators are elected directly by the citizens of the state they represent, in contrast to the Danish system, where the prime minister is chosen by the elected members of parliament.
The US Senate comprises 100 senators, with each state electing two senators. Senators serve six-year terms, and elections for the Senate are held every two years, meaning that only about one-third of the senators are up for re-election at a time. This ensures that the Senate maintains a level of stability and that the will of the people is respected.
The process of electing senators is a long one. First, primary elections are held in the spring, where parties decide on a candidate to represent them. Then, in the general election, citizens elect their senators. It is important to note that two senators from the same state are never up for re-election simultaneously. This staggered election process ensures that each state holds two Senate elections within a six-year period.
The US Constitution outlines the process for electing and appointing senators. The Seventeenth Amendment, in particular, addresses direct popular elections of senators. It empowers governors, with the consent of state legislatures, to appoint temporary replacements in cases of vacancy, such as a senator's death or resignation. This amendment ensures that the people's voice is heard in selecting their representatives and that the Senate remains responsive to the citizens it serves.
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Citizens elect members of the legislative branch
In a presidential democracy, citizens elect members of the legislative branch, also known as the United States Congress. Congress is the national parliament in the US, divided into two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Citizens vote for their representatives in Congress, who then serve the people of their specific congressional district.
The House of Representatives makes and passes federal laws. Each state has a number of representatives proportional to its population, with a maximum of 435 voting representatives. Representatives, also known as congressmen or congresswomen, are elected to two-year terms and must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for at least seven years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent. They introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees.
The Senate is the upper chamber of Congress, with each state having two senators serving six-year terms. Elections for the Senate are held every two years, so only 1/3 of the senators are up for re-election at a time. Senators must have been US citizens for a minimum of nine years and be residents of the state they represent.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have internal leaders elected from within the majority and minority parties. The House is led by the Speaker, who is second in line to succeed the President in an emergency, while the Senate is led by the Vice President. The majority and minority leaders in each chamber are the spokespeople for legislation, and they are assisted by the whips, who track the votes needed to pass legislation.
Citizens can engage with their elected representatives in Congress by calling their offices, attending town hall meetings, viewing congressional sessions, or scheduling meetings to discuss legislative issues. These representatives bring the community's needs to the national stage, so citizens should feel empowered to advocate for their concerns and participate in the democratic process.
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Citizens elect members of Congress
In a presidential democracy, citizens elect the President and members of Congress. Congress is the national parliament in the United States, divided into two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Citizens elect members to both chambers.
The Senate is made up of 100 members, with each state represented by two senators. Senators are elected for six-year terms, but elections are held every two years, with only 1/3 of the Senate up for re-election each time. This means that every state has two elections for the Senate every six years, but never for the same senator at the same time.
To be eligible for election to the Senate, a person must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for nine years or more, and a resident of the state they represent.
The House of Representatives has 435 members with full voting rights. The number of representatives per state is proportionate to the population. Representatives are elected to two-year terms and must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen for at least seven years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent.
The Role of Congress
Members of Congress have a busy schedule, often beginning early in the morning with briefings, meetings, and hearings. They vote on bills, speak with constituents and other groups, and review constituent mail, press clips, and reports. Representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees. Members of Congress also provide services to their constituents, helping them navigate government bureaucracies. This can include directing citizens to their assigned representative in Congress.
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Frequently asked questions
In a presidential democracy, citizens elect the president and vice president.
The president is the chief executive and has the power to veto laws passed by the legislative branch. The vice president is the president's running mate and second-in-command.
In the United States, citizens vote for the president and vice president through the Electoral College, where "'electors" pledged to a certain candidate cast their votes. The candidate with the most electoral votes wins.
Yes, in addition to the president and vice president, citizens may also elect members of the legislative branch, such as senators and representatives.
