Why is there a gap of time between when the president is inaugurated?

Answer 1

I suppose this is to ease the transition of power to a new President. Also, the President can been discussing with his party and his nominees the positions he gets to fill after he is president (such as Secretary of State and cabinet members). Also, this is to resolve any issues with counting the votes, such as the situation with Florida and Al Gore in 2000. All votes have not actually been counted by the end of election night, absentee ballots still have to be counted as well.

Answer 2

The time from election until inauguration is need for an orderly transition of the new administration. The new president needs the time to become acquainted with pending issues, to form a cabinet and a staff of advisers, etc. The period of time from when a new president is elected until he is sworn in is commonly called the lame duck period. Until 1933, the inauguration took place on March 4. Since then, the inauguration takes place on January 20.

Answer 3

The gap is needed in case the election is disputed. If there is a recount that would take some time. If the House has to choose the President, the President has to be chosen after the new House is seated.

If all cases, it takes some time for the new President to choose his cabinet and hire his staff. He has to make final plans his new government. He also has to prepare to move, find schools for his children and such.

(another idea)

The time period between the presidential election and his inauguration is because of the lame duck period. where the old president has time to spend one last holiday in the White House and has time to finish the year as President. That is like a "neutral" period in the presidency.

Answer 4

Originally, in the late 1700s and early 1800s, it was to allow the newly elected president time to take a horse and carriage from his home to the capital. However, the election in November does not elect the President; the general election at which all the people vote will select the Electors who _will_ elect the President.

The electors become members of the Electoral College. One is selected from each congressional district, plus two additional electors for each State. It will take time for the Electors themselves to arrive at the Capital to elect the President, and then time for the President to get to the Capital.

Before 1932, the new president was inaugurated in March of the next year. Since 1933, the new President has been sworn into office on January 20th.

Answer 5

There has to be time enough to count and recount the votes and let challenges be resolved in court before the winner actually takes office. If the administration changes, it takes some time to select and prepare all the new government officials that will be taking office. (The inauguration used to be March 4 , so the time for the transition was shortened considerably when it was moved up to January 20. )