Office of President-Elect

Office of President-Elect is the term to describe the 11 week presidential transition period, from general election day until inauguration day, January 20 (although, technically, a new president is not elected until the Monday after the second Wednesday in December, when the Electoral College casts its votes). Under the Constitution, there is no such thing as the Office of the President-elect. Executive power remains outside of the president-elect's reach.

The 1963 Presidential Transition Act allowed the president-elect granted access to nearly all executive office-holder information, property and security. This process is necessary for an orderly transition to the incoming administration.

Criticism

President-elect Obama was accused of portraying messianic authority by speaking at a podium in which the placard "Office of President-Elect" was displayed prominently. Critics commented that no such official office exists.