Government Information: The Presidency
The Electoral College, administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), is not a place. It is a process that began as part of the original design of the U.S. Constitution. The Electoral College was established by the founding fathers as a compromise between election of the president by Congress and election by popular vote. The people of the United States vote for the electors who then vote for the President. Read more about how the terms "Elector" and "Electoral College" came into usage.
- U.S. Electoral College - Current and historical facts and FAQsCourtesy of the National Archives, use this site to track the presidential selection process with the Electoral College Calculator, answer questions about what it is (and is not).
The Presidency - Introduction
Article II, Section 1 of the United States Constitution states that "the executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America." The President is both the head of state and the head of government of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Under Article II of the Constitution, the President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress.
Use the resources on this page to find documents and publications written and delivered by the President, and to find resources to guide your study and research of this office.
Presidential Documents and Publications
- Compilation of Presidential Documents - 1992-present - FDsys Access - (online)This resource consists of Executive Orders, Presidential Proclamations, Public Messages, Speeches and more.
- Codification of Presidential Proclamations and Executive Orders - 1945-1989 - NARA - (online)This resource provides access to Presidential proclamations and Executive orders, covering the period April 13, 1945 (Truman), through January 20, 1989 (Reagan). Some Proclamations and Executive orders issued before 1945 are included.
- Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States - 1929-presentPresidential writings, addresses, and remarks of a public nature are made available through this series as far back as 1929. In print and online.
History and Information about the Presidency
- Vital Statistics on the Presidency (Ebook)This book presents a comprehensive statistical description of the American presidency.
- The New York Times on the presidency, 1853-2008From CQ Press, find contemporary reporting on the evolution of the American presidency through the lens of The Times’ coverage. The book examines every presidential administration that the paper has followed from start to finish, beginning with the successful candidacy of Franklin Pierce in 1852 and continuing through the influence of the George W. Bush presidency on the 2008 presidential election.
- The Oxford Guide to the United States Government (Ebook)Available online this resource contains words, concepts and names related to the United States Government such as those you commonly hear and read in the news. You'll find short entries about Presidents and Supreme Court Justices (current through 2001) by searching by last name. Look up major supreme court cases or find out the real meaning of "pork barrel politics" in this resource!
When Professors Kathryn Watts and Sanne Knudsen at the University of Washington School of Law began offering a class on presidential power, interest was so high - and not just from the law school - that research librarian, Mary Whisner, created a public guide to resources and information used by the class. It's focus is presidential power and its limits.
United States Presidents
Quick overview and chronology of all United States Presidents past and current on the White House website.
image of George Washington from the collections at the Library of Congress.
Executive Orders through the Federal Register
The President of the United States manages the operations of the Executive branch of Government through Executive orders. The text of Executive orders issued since 1994 is available through this section of Federal Register.
Each President since Hoover has a library, maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration, which serves as a repository for preserving and making accessible the papers, records, and other historical materials of his or her term in office.