LWVCC: What to know about the federal offices you’ll see on your PA ballot
The League of Women Voters of Centre County is providing a three-part series about the offices on your ballot this year. This second installment focuses on federal offices. LWVCC thanks the LWV of the United States for the following information produced and published by them on the Vote411.org website.
PA U.S. House of Representative
Description of office: The U.S. Constitution requires that the House of Representatives be composed of Representatives from each state, elected in proportion to population. There are 435 members of the House of Representatives, with 17 Representatives allotted to Pennsylvania after the 2020 census. A U.S. Representative must be at least 25 years old, have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years, and be a resident of the state they seek to represent at the time of the election (though not necessarily the same district). The House of Representatives is responsible for introducing and voting on bills, resolutions and amendments, and for approving the budget. Representatives also serve on various policy committees. The House may send Articles of Impeachment of elected officials to the Senate and elects the president if there is a tie in the Electoral College. Term: 2 years. No term limits. Salary: $174,000
PA U.S. Senator
Description of office: The U.S. Constitution prescribes that the Senate be composed of 100 members (two Senators from each state). One third of the total membership of the Senate is elected every two years. A Senator must be at least 30 years of age, a citizen of the United States for at least nine years and be a resident of the state from which s/he is chosen at the time of the election. Senators write and vote in favor of or against final bills and serve on various policy committees. The Senate has several exclusive powers not granted to the House including advice/consent on presidential nominations and treaties and conducting the trial of federal officials impeached by the House. Term: 6 years. No term limits. Salary: $174,000
U.S. President
Description of office: The president is: the head of state of the United States of America; the Chief Executive Officer; and the Commander in Chief of all military forces. The powers of the president are prescribed in the Constitution and federal law. The president appoints the members of the Cabinet, ambassadors to other nations and the United Nations, Supreme Court Justices and federal judges, subject to Senate approval. The president, along with the Cabinet and its agencies, is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the United States. The president may also recommend legislation to the United States Congress. Term: Four years. Limit of two terms. Salary: $400,000 per year.
U.S. Vice President
Description of office: The primary responsibility of the Vice President of the United States is to be ready at a moment’s notice to assume the presidency if the president is unable to perform his or her duties. The vice president serves as the sole power to break a tie vote in the Senate and formally presides over the ceremonial receiving and counting of electoral ballots cast in presidential elections. The vice president serves as principal advisor, governing partner and representative of the president. The vice president must: be a natural-born citizen of the United States; be at least 35 years old; and be a permanent resident in the United States for at least 14 years. Term: The vice president is elected together with the president to a four-year term Salary: $400,000
You must be registered in Centre County at your current address in order to vote in Centre County. College students may choose to vote either at their Centre County address or at their home address but must be registered accordingly. The deadline to register or change your registration is Oct. 21 by 5 p.m. Make sure you are ready to cast your ballot either by mail or in person on Nov. 5.
Check your voter registration and make changes at www.centrecountyvotes.gov.