AI-generated Key Takeaways
-
Officeholders primarily gain their seat through election or appointment, but the specific method of selection can vary depending on circumstances.
-
SelectionMethod
clarifies how an officeholder obtained their seat, prioritizing the method used for their most recent tenure. -
Six distinct
SelectionMethod
values categorize the ways officeholders assume their positions:appointed
,directly-elected
,ex-officio
,hereditary
,indirectly-elected
, andsuccession
. -
Examples provided illustrate how these values are applied in real-world scenarios for different offices and individuals.
-
When an incumbent's status changes outside of an election cycle,
succession
generally takes precedence in determiningSelectionMethod
.
Officeholders usually gain their seat through two means: election or appointment. However, the circumstantial factors in which they are elected can vary. As such, we look to gain information as to how an officeholder gains their specific seat. Consider the following examples:
- Lyndon B. Johnson was the president of the United States (POTUS). Under
normal circumstances, voters elect the POTUS indirectly. However, Johnson
succeeded the position when it became vacant. Hence, the
SelectionMethod
for the Office of POTUS for Johnson issuccession
. The governor of California appointed Alex Padilla to replace Kamala Harris as senator from California. Although voters usually elect U.S. senators directly, Padilla gained his seat through an appointment. Hence, the
SelectionMethod
for the Office of the United States Senate for Padilla isappointed
.
The following table lists the enumerations in the Office
entity for how an
officeholder gains their seat:
Value | Description |
---|---|
appointed |
The officeholder takes office because a head-of-state, governmental member or body, or peerage placed them into the position. Examples:
|
directly-elected |
The officeholder takes office because the populace elected them. Examples:
|
ex-officio |
The officeholder takes office because they hold another office, either concurrently or non-concurrently. Examples:
|
hereditary |
The officeholder took office because they were a member of a bloodline that made them an heir to the position. Examples:
|
indirectly-elected |
The officeholder takes office because they were elected by members of parliament or by members of a controlling party who were in turn elected by the populace. Examples:
|
succession |
The officeholder takes office because they were next in line and the incumbent either resigned, passed away, or was forcefully removed. Examples:
|