1. Three Branches of State Government

2. Legislative Branch
State legislatures are known by several different names, but they all perform the same basic function
General assembly, general court, legislative assembly
Every state except for Nebraska has a Bicameral legislature

3. Legislative Branch
Every state legislator represents a district of relatively equal population in a state
Before 1964, the districts were broken up by area, not population
Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims (1964) changed this

4. Legislative Branch Qualifications Session
Senator – Most states the age limit is 25
House – Most states the age limit is 21
Most states it is a low paid, part time job
Session
Typically meet for one or two months per year
7 states the legislature only meets once every other year

5. Legislative Branch Organization
Most state legislatures are arranged like the US Congress
The lower House is presided over by a Speaker of the House who is elected by the majority party
The Senate is either presided over by the lieutenant governor or an elected presiding officer voted on by the majority party

6. Executive Branch Governor Qualifications Election
Most states the age limit is 30
Citizen of the US
Live in the state for the last 5 years
Election
Nomination
Can be elected in a plurality in some states
In AZ, you need to get more than half the votes

7. Executive Branch
Most states have a 4 year term of office, VT and NH have a 2 year term
Salaries range from $65,000 to $179,000
AZ is $95,000
18 states have a recall system where voters can vote out a sitting governor before the end of their term

8. Executive Branch Roles of the Governor
Proposing and signing legislation
Leader of the state
Leader of the party in the state
Negotiator with the federal government
Commander in Chief of the National Guard

9. Judicial Branch Interpretation of state and local laws
Civil and Criminal Cases
Arrangement
Justice Court (Local Court)
General Trial Court (above the minor courts)
Appeals Court
State Supreme Court (highest court in the state court system)

10. Judicial Branch Selecting Judges Removing Judges Elected by the people
Elected by the legislature
Appointed by the governor
Missouri Plan (appointed by the governor then elected by the people)
Removing Judges
Impeachment
Removal by the State Supreme Court
Recall