Final Answer:
The leader in charge of the executive branch in the United States is the President, who is elected through a system called the Electoral College.
Step-by-step explanation:
The President of the United States is elected every four years through a process known as the Electoral College. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, with each state having a certain number of electors based on its representation in Congress (Senators + Representatives). To win the presidency, a candidate must secure a majority of electoral votes, which is currently 270 out of 538. The electors are chosen by the states, and their number is equal to the total congressional delegation for that state. For example, California has 55 electoral votes because it has 53 members in the House of Representatives and 2 Senators. This system aims to balance the influence of populous states with that of smaller states.
On Election Day, voters in each state cast their ballots for a presidential candidate. In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state receives all of its electoral votes, except in Maine and Nebraska, where a proportional allocation system is used. The winner-takes-all approach in most states has been a subject of debate, but it is deeply ingrained in the electoral process. Once the electors are chosen, they meet in December to cast their official votes for President and Vice President. In January, Congress counts the electoral votes, and the candidate with the majority is officially declared the President-elect. This system was established by the Founding Fathers as a compromise between electing the President by popular vote and having Congress make the selection directly.