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.

About This Issue

A Checklist for New Presidents

Governing Is Different From Campaigning

Personnel Is Policy

Did You Know?

Early Challenges for a New Administration

The President and the Press

For the Record

Second-Term Transitions

Transition FAQs

Additional Resources

(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/iipdigital-en/index.html)