In the US why does it take months after a federal election for the newly elected officials to take their seat in government?

488 viewsOther

We have seen how in the UK there is a new Prime Minister and House of Commons the day after a (snap) general election, not two months like it is in the US, from Election day in November to Inauguration day in January. It may have been necessary in the US back in 1789 when travel was by horse, but this was true for the English parliament back then also. But the British (and other European countries) have adapted to modernity and get a new government quite quickly, but in the US we get two months of lame duck government.

In: Other

16 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

It is part of the American Constitution, which by its very design is difficult to change.

The Brits, conversely, don’t have a single written body of laws dictating how their government runs, instead using a number of different documents, agreements, precedents and traditions. Meaning they can change things much easier

You are viewing 1 out of 16 answers, click here to view all answers.