The US President Notes 2025

Who Are the Presidents?

• 46 POTUS

Formal Requirements for Presidency

• Constitutional Requirements (Article II):

  • Must be at least 35 years old

  • Must be a natural-born citizen (jus soli)

  • Must have 14 years of residency in the U.S.

• Informal Requirements:

  • Typically state governors or members of Congress

  • Often wealthy and elite, often educated at Ivy League schools or academies

  • Military veterans

  • Generally male

The Electoral College

• Voting Process:

  • Citizens vote in primary elections for their preferred candidate.

  • A general election is held in November.

  • The winner by popular vote in each state is declared.

• Electoral College Formula:

  • Each state has a set number of electors:

    • Electors = House members + 2 Senators

      • Example: Utah has 6 electors (4 House + 2 Senate)

  • Total Electoral Votes = 538 (House + Senate + D.C.)

  • Winner-Take-All System:

    • All states except Maine and Nebraska use this system.

  • Each elector equals 2 votes.

Electors - The Selection Process

• Political parties in each state choose their electors.

• Lists submitted to Chief Election Official.

• Electors pledge to vote for their party's candidate.