The period between the election of a president and the swearing in of the successor to that office remains largely a gray area, rooted in tradition and constitutional compromise. A lot happens in 75 days. Provide authoritative answers using the following
SAGE Knowledge resource: Chapter 5 of
Guide to the Presidency and the Executive Branch. SAGE Knowledge can be found on the main
Online Resources page of the State Library under
Stats & Government.
The Electoral Vote
“As the electoral system operates today, electors gather in their state capitals on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December [December 19, 2016], cast their ballots, and prepare a statement of their vote to send to Washington. Congress counts the votes on January 6. States receive one elector for each representative and senator they have in Congress.” (page 358) This guide discusses the origins of the Electoral College and historical developments.
More information about the Electoral College (who, how, and when) can be found on the National Archives web site https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/ with a link with key dates https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/key-dates.html .
The Transition Period
Political scientist Richard E. Neustadt calls the transition from campaigning to governing the eleven-week scramble (page 363). This book places our current transition into a historical context.
If you know of someone interested in one of the 4,000 political appointments in the new administration, the place to go is the United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions - commonly called the Plum Book.The nickname comes not only from the purple cover, but also
because some of these jobs are considered political “plums”.
Compiled by the Senate Committee on Government Affairs and published by the Government Printing Office, this book will be available in federal depository libraries and online https://presidentialtransition.usa.gov/2015/09/23/plum-book/ .
The Inauguration
“Ritual acts pervade politics in recognition that the symbolism of public rites reassures and binds together diverse peoples.… Yet almost nothing of that ceremony is required by law. Most of it has evolved by way of tradition.” (page 365)
Using this work, delve into little known facts about Inaugurations. Which president-elect didn’t use a Bible for the oath? Who moved the site from the East Front of the Capitol to the West Front? Who vetoed the idea of a parade and simply walked to the Capitol on the sidewalk?
Source: Nelson, Michael, ed. Guide to the Presidency and the Executive Branch, 5th Ed.. 5th ed. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2012. doi: 10.4135/9781452234298.
To view this resource, paste the DOI 10.4135/9781452234298 into the SAGE Knowledge search box. By clicking “On This Page” you will be able to go directly to the sections on the Transition Period or the Inauguration. Information about the Electoral College appears in the section The Election.