Explore the structure of government, from local to federal levels. Click on the sections to expand and learn more about the various positions and roles.
Local government is the level of government closest to the people. It includes:
Mayor: The chief executive officer of a city or town.
City Council/Town Council: The legislative body of a city or town.
County Executive/County Commissioner: Leaders of county governments.
Sheriff: The chief law enforcement officer of a county.
School Board Members: Officials overseeing public education within a district.
Local governments provide essential services such as public education, law enforcement, road maintenance, and local public works.
Municipal governments, such as those of cities and towns, handle a wide array of responsibilities:
Local Ordinances: Creating and enforcing local laws.
Zoning and Land Use: Planning and regulating the use of land within the city.
Public Transportation: Managing local transit systems.
Parks and Recreation: Maintaining parks, recreational facilities, and organizing community events.
County governments serve a larger region than cities and often have different functions:
Property Taxes: Assessing and collecting property taxes.
County Roads: Maintaining roads and infrastructure outside of city limits.
Elections Administration: Overseeing local elections.
Social Services: Providing various social services to residents.
State governments are responsible for governing individual states. Each state has its own constitution, legislature, executive, and judicial system.
Governor: The chief executive officer of a state.
State Legislature (Senate and House/Assembly): The legislative branch of a state government, responsible for creating state laws.
State Supreme Court: The highest court in a state's judicial system.
Lieutenant Governor: The second-highest executive official in many states, often serving as the president of the state senate.
Attorney General: The state's chief legal officer.
State governments oversee areas such as education, state transportation, state law enforcement, and professional licensing. They also share power with the federal government.
State legislatures are bicameral in most states (like the U.S. Congress), consisting of two chambers:
State Senate: Generally has fewer members and longer terms.
State House of Representatives/Assembly: Generally has more members and shorter terms.
The legislature is responsible for:
Enacting Laws: Creating and passing state laws.
Budgeting: Approving the state budget.
Oversight: Overseeing the executive branch of state government.
The state judicial system interprets state laws. It typically includes:
Trial Courts: Where cases are initially heard.
Appellate Courts: Where decisions from lower courts can be appealed.
State Supreme Court: The final court of appeal for state laws.
The federal government is responsible for the governance of the entire country. It is divided into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
President: The chief executive officer of the United States.
Congress (Senate and House of Representatives): The legislative branch, responsible for creating federal laws.
Supreme Court: The highest court in the federal judicial system.
The federal government has broad powers, including regulating interstate commerce, declaring war, and setting national policies.
The legislative branch, Congress, is bicameral:
Senate: Consists of 100 members, two from each state.
House of Representatives: Consists of 435 members, with representation based on each state's population.
Congress is responsible for:
Making Laws: Passing legislation that affects the entire country.
Approving the Budget: Allocating federal funds.
Declaring War: Authorizing military action.
Impeachment: The process of removing high-ranking officials from office.
The executive branch is headed by the President and includes:
Vice President: Assumes the presidency if the President is unable to serve.
Cabinet: Advisors to the President, heading various executive departments (e.g., Department of State, Department of Defense).
Federal Agencies: Organizations within the executive branch that carry out specific duties (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation).
The executive branch is responsible for:
Enforcing Laws: Implementing and enforcing federal laws.
Foreign Policy: Conducting relations with other countries.
Commander-in-Chief: Leading the armed forces.
The judicial branch interprets federal laws. It includes:
District Courts: The trial courts of the federal system.
Courts of Appeals: Hear appeals from the district courts.
Supreme Court: The highest court in the United States, with the final authority on the interpretation of the Constitution.
The judicial branch is responsible for:
Interpreting the Constitution: Deciding the meaning of the Constitution.
Reviewing Laws: Determining whether laws are constitutional.
Resolving Disputes: Settling disputes involving federal laws.