Question

Which amendment prohibits the President of the United States from running for a third term during an election? (A) First Amendment (B) Second Amendment (C) Eighteenth Amendment (D) Twenty-second Amendment

Short answer

The Twenty-second Amendment (D) prohibits the President of the United States from running for a third term during an election.

Step-by-step solution

Read the options

Go through the options (A) First Amendment, (B) Second Amendment, (C) Eighteenth Amendment, (D) Twenty-second Amendment.

Recall the content of each Amendment

It is helpful to remember what each of the amendments stands for: (A) First Amendment - Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition (B) Second Amendment - Right to bear arms (C) Eighteenth Amendment - Prohibition of alcohol (later repealed by the Twenty-first Amendment) (D) Twenty-second Amendment - Term limits for the President

Identify the correct Amendment

Based on their content, we can determine that the amendment that prohibits the President of the United States from running for a third term during an election is: (D) Twenty-second Amendment.

Key concepts

Presidential Term Limits

Presidential term limits are rules that restrict how long an individual can serve as President of the United States. Before these limits were set, there was no official restriction on the number of terms a president could serve. This led to the possibility of a president holding office for an indefinite period, similar to a monarchy.
To address this, a tradition started by George Washington, the first U.S. President, was established. He set the precedent of serving only two terms. Following presidents adhered to this practice until Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected to four terms during the period of the Great Depression and World War II.
The implementation of presidential term limits ensures a healthy democratic process by promoting the transition of power and preventing any single individual from gaining excessive control. It encourages fresh ideas and leaders to enter the political scene, maintaining a balance of power within the government.

• Keeps political power from becoming too concentrated
• Encourages democratic transitions
• Promotes new leadership opportunities

Twenty-second Amendment

The Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution is the legal provision establishing presidential term limits. Ratified on February 27, 1951, it was introduced following Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented four-term presidency, signaling a need for regulatory reform.
The Amendment specifies that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. Additionally, if someone holds the presidency for more than two years of a term to which another person was elected, they can only be elected once more.
This amendment serves to formalize the two-term tradition that began with George Washington, ensuring that the power of the executive branch does not become too centralized. The amendment plays a crucial role in maintaining democracy, ensuring that diverse leadership can continue to emerge throughout history.

• Limits presidents to two elected terms
• Applies to those who assume presidency mid-term
• Ensures the regular transition of power

Constitutional Law

Constitutional law includes the rules, doctrines, and practices that govern the operation of political communities, with a focus on national governments. It is meant to provide a framework for the establishment, allocation, and limitation of governmental powers. The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land, guiding the legal framework for governance.
Within constitutional law, amendments like the Twenty-second Amendment demonstrate how provisions can be adapted or introduced to address evolving political needs and circumstances. These changes are crucial in maintaining the relevance of the Constitution to ensure it accurately reflects societal values and norms over time.
Constitutional law serves multiple vital functions: it defines governmental roles, protects individual rights, and sets out the procedures for amending itself. This dynamic nature ensures a balance between preserving foundational principles and adapting to contemporary societal challenges.

• Establishes governmental structure and authority
• Protects civil liberties
• Adapts to societal changes through amendments