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U.S. Presidential Transitions

January 2009

January 2009

We often read or hear about turmoil before, during, or after elections around the world. An important characteristic of democracy in the United States, however, is the regularly recurring peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next. Americans know when the next presidential election will take place – the Tuesday after the first Monday in November every four years. And power will be transferred to the newly elected (or re-elected) president on January 20 of the following year.

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Inside This Publication

Volume 14, Number 1

FROM THE EDITORS

Feature Stories

More Feature Stories

  • Early Challenges for a New Administration

    A recognized analyst discusses some of the major dangers and opportunities facing the incoming administration.

  • The President and the Press

    A scholar explains the complex relationship between the chief executive and the media.

  • For the Record

    The retired director of the Office of Records Management talks about transitions from the viewpoint of civil servants who stay on and work for several consecutive administrations.

  • Second-Term Transitions

    A presidential scholar explains how there’s a transition even when a president is re-elected.

  • Transition FAQs

    Frequently asked questions about presidential transitions.

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