The United States Government Manual 2004/2005, Preface, Contents

Pagesi-viii

The United States Government Manual

2004/2005

Office of the Federal Register

National Archives and Records Administration

Revised June 1, 2004

Raymond A. Mosley,

Director of the Federal Register.

John W. Carlin,

Archivist of the United States.

On the cover: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is proud to acknowledge its role in the Presidential election process. NARA's Office of the Federal Register (OFR) acts as the administrator of the Electoral College on behalf of the States, the Congress, and the American people. In this role, the OFR is charged with helping the States carry out their election responsibilities, ensuring the completeness and integrity of the Electoral College documents submitted to Congress, and informing the public about the Presidential election process.

The Electoral College system was established under Article II

(section 1) and Amendment 12 of the U.S. Constitution. In each State, the voters choose electors to select the President and Vice President of the United States, based on the results of the November general election.

Prior to the general election, the OFR sends an informational package to each State's Governor to officially notify them of their electoral responsibilities. As the results of the popular vote are finalized in each State, election officials send to the OFR Certificates of Ascertainment, which establish the credentials of their electors. In December, the electors hold meetings in each State to cast their votes for President and Vice President. Those choices are documented in Certificates of Vote, which are sent to the OFR for review on behalf of the Congress. In January, the Congress sits in joint session to certify the election of the President and Vice President, based on the documentary evidence assembled and reviewed by the OFR. In the year after the election, electoral documents are held at the OFR for public viewing, and then transferred to the Archives of the United States for permanent retention and access.

In this Presidential election year, the cover of the book shows a representation of the Electoral College system in celebration of the spirit of the American democratic process.

For more information on the Electoral College, visit NARA's Web site at: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/electoral_college/.

Our thanks are extended to Creative Services at the U.S. Government Printing Office for its assistance in developing this cover.

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800; DC area

(202) 512-1800

Fax: (202) 512-2250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-0001

ISBN 0-16-051455-X

Preface

As the official handbook of the Federal Government, The United States Government Manual provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The Manual also includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees.

A typical agency description includes a list of principal officials, a summary statement of the agency's purpose and role in the Federal Government, a brief history of...

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