Presidential Amendments

      Unit Overview

In this unit, students will identify and explain the historical circumstances surrounding the adoption of amendments about presidential elections, terms, and succession. (CS#11)

              Section A:  Content Statement 11

Constitutional amendments have altered provisions for the structure and functions of the federal government.

Content Elaboration

The Framers of the Constitution created a method of presidential selection that reflected the nation's federal system of government. The President would be chosen based on electoral votes from the states. A candidate is required to win a majority of the total number of electoral votes to secure the Presidency. Electoral votes are determined based upon the number of each state's representatives and senators.

Some amendments have altered the procedures of the Electoral College:

       • Separate balloting for President and Vice President was established to avoid a tie in electoral votes.

       • The District of Columbia was granted electoral votes.

Other amendments have altered the functioning of government:

       • Presidential term limits.

       • Presidential succession and disability.

Let’s Practice: Content Statement 11

 

 

 

          Section B:  Presidential Amendments

CC Video


Let’s Practice:  Electoral College

 

 

Constitutional provisions related to the executive branch of the federal government have been frequent subjects for amendment. The amendments have responded to events impacting presidential elections, terms and succession.

Amendment 12 altered the procedures of the Electoral College. The change allowed separate balloting for President and Vice President to avoid a tie in electoral votes, as happened in the election of 1800.

The main provisions of Amendment 20 shortened the time between elections and when presidents and members of Congress take office. These changes reflected the improvements in transportation, which allowed for more comfortable travel to Washington and also revealed the desire to avoid "lame duck" periods in the transition from one administration or session to another.

Amendment 22 imposed a two-term limit on presidential terms. This amendment was passed following the four-term Presidency of Franklin Roosevelt to institutionalize the two-term tradition established by George Washington.

Amendment 23 provided electors for the District of Columbia. The Electoral College was based initially upon electors representing states. As the population of the District of Columbia grew, it was decided that the residents there deserved to have the opportunity to vote for electors in presidential elections.

​Presidential succession and disability were addressed by Amendment 25. Lyndon B. Johnson, who had a history of heart problems, took office following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. As with other presidential successions, this left the office of the vice president vacant. The 25th Amendment clarified that a successor to the Presidency was designated as President of the United States and included provisions for filling the office of Vice President. It also outlined procedures to be used in case of presidential disability.

Let’s Practice: True or False

 

 

           Section C:  Amendments 12, 20, 22, 23, and 25

    

Five amendments have altered provisions for presidential elections, terms, and successions to address changing historical circumstances.

Below is a chart on the historical roots of the Presidential Amendments.

Amendment

Rights

Historic Roots

12th

Election of President

and

Vice President

·      Electors to the Electoral College are to cast one vote for President and a separate vote for Vice President

In the election of 1800, confusion in the Electoral College resulted from the requirement that the runner-up for President became President.

20th  

Presidential Inauguration

·      President and Vice President are sworn into office on January 20th

The amendment shortens the "lame duck" time by moving inauguration up by two months.

22nd  

Presidential Term Limits

·      No person may serve as President more than twice

George Washington had sent the precedent of two terms.  All other presidents continued to serve no more than two terms; unit Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected a record four times.  After his administration ended, there was widespread support for a formal limit on presidential terms.

23rd

Voting in Washington, D.C.

 

·      Grants Washington D.C. three electoral votes for the Presidency

Residents of Washington D.C. did not have any political voice in the federal government.  This amendment grants them the minimum number of electors.

25th

Presidential Succession

 

·      Establishes a clearer succession to the Presidency and Vice Presidency

During the era of the Cold War and in the wake of John F. Kennedy's assassination, a transparent chain of ascension to the nation's highest office was needed

 

Let’s Practice: Image Amendments