According to the U.S. Constitution, the Speaker of the House of Representatives must be chosen by the House of Representatives and other officers. The Constitution does not explicitly require the Speaker to be an incumbent member of the House of Representatives, although every Speaker thus far has been. However, Article I, Section II, Clause 5, of the U.S. Constitution, concerning the choosing of a Speaker, does not explicitly state House membership as a requirement. While non-members have received votes in Speaker elections, they have never been elected to the office. To be elected, a candidate must receive an absolute majority of the votes cast, which may be less than a majority of the full House because of vacancies, absentee members, or members who vote "present". The Speaker is elected at the beginning of a new Congress by a majority of the Representatives-elect from candidates separately chosen by the majority- and minority-party caucuses. The Speaker must be nominated by a member of the House and then chosen by a majority of the full membership of the House. The Constitution has very few requirements to be House Speaker, and the person must be nominated by a member of the House.