U.S. Presidents

There are 47 names on this list of U.S. presidentsbut how many presidents have there been?

The number of individuals that have been president is 45. The difference between the 47 names on the list and the correct value of 45 is due to the non-consecutive terms of Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump. Although listing all the presidents in order makes it look as if there have been 47 presidentscounting the unique names and the pictures above shows that only 45 men have served as President of the United States.

How is the President of the United States elected?

Every four years an election is held and all U.S. citizens age 18 and older are eligible to vote. This popular vote determines the makeup of the electoral collegewhich actually elects the president. The electoral college consists of 538 memberswhich is equal to the number of members of Congress each state has plus 3 for the District of Columbia. In all but two states the members of the electoral college (electors) are awarded to supporters of the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. Maine and Nebraska select electors based on who wins the popular vote in each congressional district and 2 electors are awarded based on the winner of the statewide popular vote. If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral vote the House of Representatives selects from among the three presidential candidates receiving the most electoral votes.

What are the qualifications to become president?

The U.S. Constitution has three main qualifications for president: (1) a natural born citizen(2) 35 years of ageand (3) has resided in the United States for at least 14 years. In additionthe 22nd Amendment to the Constitution limits the president to two terms in officewith the exception of a vice president who becomes president and serves more than two years of an unexpired term. In this case only one additional term is allowed. The oath of office must also be taken before assuming the duties of the office.

Can a president serve more than two terms?

Nothe 22nd Amendment states"No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice" meaning that once someone is elected president two times they cannot run for election againeven if they resign before their term ends. In additionsomeone previously twice elected cannot run for or be appointed as the Vice President as the 12th Amendment states"no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States." Currentlythe following individuals are not eligible to run for or serve another term as president: Donald TrumpBarack ObamaGeorge W. Bushand Bill Clinton.

Can a president be removed from office?

There are two ways in which a president can be removed from office (aside from death or resignation):

(1) Impeachment: The impeachment process charges the president with treasonbriberyor other high crimes and misdemeanor and originates in the House of Representatives. If the House votes to approve the impeachment chargesthe Senate holds a trial presided over by the Chief Justice to hear the evidence and each individual senator has one vote to convict or acquit. There have been three presidents impeached (see our Presidential Impeachments page) but none were convicted and removed from office.

(2) 25th Amendment: If the Vice President and majority of the Cabinet submit to Congress a written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the officethe Vice President assumes the power and duties of the office as Acting President. The President may submit a written declaration that no inability existsbut if the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet disagree with this declarationCongress will determine by two-thirds vote whether or not the President will resume his powers and duties of the office.

What if a president dies in officeresignsor is removed from office?

If a president diesresigns or is removed from office after being convicted by the Senate through the impeachment processthe Vice President becomes president. If the office of Vice President is vacantthen the Speaker of the House of Representatives becomes president. The Order of Presidential Succession determines who would become president if the office remains vacant.