US Presidential transition process

  • The peaceful transfer of power is considered a cornerstone of US democracy. 
  • The transitions between presidents are governed by the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 and its amendments.
  • Under the law, the candidate who is running for a first term has to set up a transition organization well in advance to begin preparing for a possible administration. 
  • The incumbent also needs to start planning for his or her second term.
  • According to the Center for Presidential Transition, the entire transition period lasts roughly one year, from April or May of the election year until 200 days after January 20 of the next year, when the new administration is inaugurated. 
  • The period until election day is called the “planning” phase; from election until inauguration the “transition” phase; and the final being the “handover” phase.
  • As per law, the most critical period part of the process– the 75 days-odd transition phase– kicks off when the winner of the presidential race is “ascertained” by the General Services Administration (GSA).
  • GSA is a US government agency that is responsible for managing federal property and for supporting the basic functioning of federal agencies.
  • After the GSA certifies the winner, the transition team can start preparing for a new administration with access to government agencies and funds for transition– worth $9.9 million this year.
  • Transition team members cannot, though, enter federal agencies until the GSA certifies their candidate as the winner. 
  • The decision to “ascertain” a winner lies with the GSA’s administrator, a political functionary. 
  • Emily Murphy, a Trump appointee who leads the agency, has so far declined to certify Biden’s victory.



SOURCE: IE

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