Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine in U.S. law that protects government officials, including law enforcement officers, from being held personally liable for constitutional violations (such as excessive force) unless they violated “clearly established” law. This means that for a lawsuit to proceed, there must be a prior court ruling with nearly identical facts establishing the conduct as unconstitutional. The doctrine is intended to shield officials from frivolous lawsuits while allowing for accountability in cases of egregious misconduct. However, it has been widely debated for its role in limiting legal recourse for victims of civil rights violations.
Judicial immunity is a legal doctrine that protects judges from personal liability for their official judicial actions, even if those actions are alleged to be erroneous, malicious, or in violation of someone’s rights. This immunity applies as long as the judge is acting within their jurisdiction. The purpose of judicial immunity is to ensure that judges can make decisions independently and without fear of personal lawsuits, preserving judicial integrity and impartiality. However, it does not protect judges from criminal prosecution or administrative disciplinary actions for misconduct.
Presidential immunity is a legal doctrine that provides the President of the United States with protection from certain legal actions while in office. This immunity primarily applies to civil lawsuits for official acts performed as part of the President’s duties. The Supreme Court has recognized absolute immunity for the President in civil damages cases related to official conduct (e.g., Nixon v. Fitzgerald, 1982).
However, this immunity does not extend to unofficial or personal actions. The extent of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution remains a contested legal issue, with ongoing debates about whether a sitting or former President can face criminal charges for actions taken while in office.
The Electoral College is the system used to elect the President and Vice President of the United States. It consists of 538 electors, with each state allocated electors equal to the sum of its U.S. Senators (2) and U.S. Representatives. Washington, D.C. also has 3 electors.
When citizens vote in a presidential election, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to a candidate. These electors then cast their votes based on the outcome of their state’s popular vote (except in Nebraska and Maine, which use a proportional system). A candidate must receive a majority of 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. If no candidate reaches this threshold, the election is decided by the U.S. House of Representatives, with each state delegation casting one vote.
The system has been debated for its impact on representation, as it can lead to a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote.
