2.7 Altering the Presidency

Office of the President

This is the job of the President, who is in charge of the Executive Branch of Government.

Electoral College

A group of representatives (electors) from each state, who make the final vote to elect a president.

Election of 1796

A problem happened when the Electoral College selected a President and Vice-President from different political parties.

Twelfth Amendment

This change meant that the Electoral College would vote separately for President and Vice President, so they would be from the same party.

Term of Office

How long an elected official is allowed to stay in his or her job.

Term Limits

How long an elected official may serve. Originally, the Constitution did not say how long Presidents could serve.

George Washington

The first President of the United States. He did not want the President to become a King for life, so he only served two terms.

Tradition

A practice that people continue because someone else did it.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

America's President during the Great Depression and World War II. He died during his fourth term.

Twenty-second Amendment

This limited the President to two terms.

District of Columbia

City where America's government is located. It is also called Washington, D.C.

Twenty-third Amendment

Gave residents of Washington D.C. three electoral votes, which allowed them to vote for the President.

Presidential Succession

Succeed can also mean someone who takes someone else's place. Presidential succession happens when someone new becomes President.

Twenty-fifth Amendment

This clarified who succeeded the President and how they did it.