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states that the president must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the United States for at least 14 years before taking office.

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One important qualification is experience in government.

Prior government experience gives presidential candidates the chance to form the alliances necessary to be nominated within their own political party.

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Historically, most presidents have come from northern European backgrounds.

Most presidents have been middle class.

Most presidents have been white, married, and financially successful.

To date, every president has been a man and each has identified as Christian

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Extremely liberal or conservative candidates have little chance of being elected, and the major parties usually choose candidates who are moderate.

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Running for the presidency demands large amounts of money.

Candidates pay for advertising, salaries of campaign staff and consultants, and travel.

In order to raise the vast sums of money needed to be competitive, presidential candidates must have strong financial support from many people.

Candidates who forgo public financing can spend as much as they can collect.

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Understanding the people is necessary to gain and hold their support.

Public support, in turn, can give a president real leverage in influencing lawmakers.

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Successful presidents must be able to communicate effectively and to present their ideas in a way that inspires public support.

Modern presidents often use a strategy of "going public" to appeal directly to voters.

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A successful president must know when the time is right to introduce a new policy, to make a key decision, or to delay such actions.

Skillful presidents often use their assistants or cabinet secretaries to test the timing of new policy initiatives.

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A successful president must be able to compromise.

The nature of politics is such that even the president must be willing to give up something to get something in return.

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Successful presidents need political courage because sometimes they must go against public opinion to do what they think is best.

It takes courage to make decisions that will be unpopular.

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takes over the presidency in case of presidential death, disability, impeachment, or resignation.

presides over the Senate and votes in case of a tie.

helps decide whether the president is unable to carry out his or her duties and acts as president should that happen.

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Today, the Electoral College includes 538 electors. Each state has as many electors as it has senators and representatives in Congress.

To be elected president or vice president, a candidate must win at least 270 of the 538 votes.

The Electoral College meets a few weeks after the general election to record the electors’ votes.

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Years before a presidential election, potential candidates begin to plan their campaigns.

They often begin by forming a political action committee.

Candidates form exploratory committees who meet with potential supporters and find well-respected public figures to endorse them.

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Primaries, Caucuses, and National Party Conventions

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Primaries, Caucuses, and National Party Conventions

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In a primary, members of the party go to the polls and vote on which candidate they want to see earn their party’s nomination.

By late summer, when all the states have held their primaries and caucuses, the major political parties host national nominating conventions.

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It is customary for presidential candidates to debate one another in the run-up to an election.

On a presidential election day, millions of Americans go to the polls and cast their votes for president and vice president.

a few weeks after the general election, the electors meet to cast their official votes for president and vice president.

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Until the inauguration the new president is referred to as the president-elect.

The new president takes office at noon on January 20.

By custom, the incoming president rides with the outgoing president from the White House to the Capitol for the inauguration.

The new president then gives an inaugural address.