<aside> <img src="/icons/government_blue.svg" alt="/icons/government_blue.svg" width="40px" /> usa - gov. - branches
| Overview | Federal Government | State Governments |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Three branches: Executive (President), Legislative (Congress), Judicial (Supreme Court and other federal courts) | Mirror federal structure: Executive (Governor), Legislative (State Legislature), Judicial (State Courts) |
| Power | Delegated by the Constitution: regulating interstate commerce, conducting foreign policy, maintaining armed forces | Reserved by the Tenth Amendment: regulating education, police powers, managing local governments |
| Scope | Laws affect the entire country | Laws only apply within the particular state |
| Elections | President and Vice President: Elected every four years by the Electoral College. Congress: Senate: 100 members (6-year terms, staggered elections). House: 435 members (2-year terms) | Governor and Statewide Offices: Typically elected every four years. State Legislatures: Senate: Terms vary (usually 4 years). House/Assembly: Terms vary (commonly 2 years) |
| Local Elections | Mayors, City Councils, School Boards, etc.: Elected to manage cities, towns, and local jurisdictions | |
| Legislative Branch | Senate: 100 members (2 per state), 6-year terms, staggered elections. Powers: Approve treaties, confirm federal appointments, try impeachment cases. House: 435 members, 2-year terms. Powers: Initiate revenue bills, impeach officials, elect President in Electoral College tie | Structure: Bicameral (except Nebraska: unicameral). Powers: Pass state laws, budget decisions, confirm state appointments |
| Similarities | Bicameral structure (except Nebraska), checks and balances, regularly scheduled elections | Bicameral structure (except Nebraska), checks and balances, regularly scheduled elections |
| Differences | Laws apply nationwide, specific powers defined by the Constitution, legislative terms and sizes are uniform | Laws apply only within the state, broader powers within their territories, legislative terms and sizes vary |
| Judicial Branch | Supreme Court: 9 justices, lifetime appointments. Lower Courts: Courts of Appeals, District Courts | State Supreme Courts: Highest court in each state. Lower Courts: Appellate courts, trial courts, specialized courts |
| Constitutional Amendments | Tenth Amendment (reserves powers to states), Commerce Clause (regulate commerce), Supremacy Clause (federal law precedence) | Powers derived from the Tenth Amendment, broader within their territories |
| Level | Branch | Position | Role/Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Executive | President | Head of the federal government, implements national laws |
| Federal | Judicial | Supreme Court | Interprets national laws |
| Federal | Legislative | House of Representatives, Senate | Makes national laws |
| State | Executive | Governor | Head of the state, implements state laws |
| State | Judicial | State Supreme Court | Interprets state laws |
| State | Legislative | State Legislature | Makes state laws |
| County | Executive | Board of Commissioners, County Council, or County Executive | Head of the county, implements county policies |
| County | Judicial | County Court | Interprets county laws |
| County | Legislative | County Legislature/Board | Makes county laws |
| Municipal (City/Town) | Executive | Mayor | Head of the city/town, implements local laws |
| Municipal (City/Town) | Judicial | Municipal Court | Interprets local laws |
| Municipal (City/Town) | Legislative | City Council | Makes local laws |
| Special Districts | Executive | Superintendent/General Manager | Manages specific functions like schools or utilities |
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<aside> <img src="/icons/government_blue.svg" alt="/icons/government_blue.svg" width="40px" /> usa - gov. - branches
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