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State Governments in the United States
Each of the fifty states in the U.S. share certain characteristics: each government is based on a written constitution, which cannot contradict the federal constitution; each has a republican form of government comprised of the same three branches (executive, legislative and judicial) as the federal government and containing a similar system of checks and balances, and separation of powers.
Within these broad similarities, however, there can be significant differences in governmental structures among the various states.
A governor heads the executive branch of every state; the governor is in charge of running the government and implementing state laws. The governor's authority includes: developing and proposing legislation to the state legislature; overseeing the state's national guard; calling special sessions of the state legislature; and, pardoning persons convicted of state crimes. The length of a term served by a governor varies but is usually two or four years. A state governor oversees the state administrative agencies, including those agencies relating to environmental protection, wildlife conservation, or natural resource management.
State Legislatures
Every state has a legislature with two chambers, except Nebraska, which has only one. All state legislatures serve the same purpose: to represent the citizens of the state in making laws concerning state issues. State legislative terms vary, but are typically two or four years. Unlike federal laws, state laws only apply within a state's borders.
State Judiciaries
All state judiciaries are hierarchical, like the federal system. State systems are made up of a Supreme Court (sometimes with a different name), usually an intermediate appellate court, and a series of lower courts or trial courts, sometimes including specialized courts. State judiciaries interpret state laws and apply them in specific disputes relating to state law; they determine whether a state crime has been committed; they evaluate the constitutionality of state laws under the state constitution; and they review the legality of state administrative rules under state statutes.