Presidential Election Process

The US Constitution is responsible for creating the executive branch of the federal government, setting the requirements for presidential candidates, and establishing the Electoral College, a political body that officially selects the federal government's chief executive. The presidential election process occurs every four years. Originally, the process determined the candidate with the most votes to be president and the runner-up to be vice president. The Twelfth Amendment, which took effect in 1804, established a separate vote for president and vice president.

Article II of the US Constitution states that any "natural born citizen" age thirty-five or older who has resided in the country for at least fourteen years is eligible to run for the office of the presidency. "Natural born...