Enforces federal laws and directs executive agencies
Position guide
President & Vice President
The president leads the federal executive branch; the vice president succeeds the president when necessary and serves as president of the Senate.
- Government level
- Federal · Executive
- Typical term
- Four years
- Who it serves
- United States
The job in plain language01 02 03 04 How the position worksHow someone reaches the position Who the office works with Real-world choices01 02 03 Before you vote
What this position is responsible for
Federal agencies, national security, executive orders, appointments, and enforcement priorities can affect services and rules nationwide.
Signs or vetoes federal legislation
Serves as commander in chief and conducts foreign policy
Vice president casts tie-breaking Senate votes
Power is shared—not exercised alone.
Voters choose presidential electors as a ticket. The president and vice president serve together, and the vice president is first in the presidential line of succession.
The president works with Congress to enact laws and funding, executive agencies to administer them, courts that review government action, governors, foreign governments, and military leadership. The vice president advises the president and performs constitutional Senate duties.
Decisions voters may notice
Which legislation to sign or veto and which policies to ask Congress to adopt
Who should lead executive departments, serve as ambassadors, and fill federal judicial vacancies, subject to Senate confirmation
How federal agencies prioritize enforcement, emergency response, diplomacy, and national security
Questions worth asking
The answers may differ among candidates, but each question relates directly to the authority and responsibilities of this position.
- What goals require Congress, and what could be done through existing executive authority?
- How would the administration choose qualified agency leaders and judges?
- How would the ticket handle emergencies, oversight, and disagreement within government?
Keep exploring