California

A

Executive

The state’s chief executive, the governor, is elected for a four-year term. The governor appoints some of the state officials and is responsible for the preparation of the state budget. The governor may veto legislation, but the state legislature can override the veto by a vote of two-thirds of the elected membership of each legislative house. The governor may also veto or reduce individual items in appropriations bills. The other elected officials of the executive branch are the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, controller, superintendent of public instruction, insurance commissioner, and the four members of the board of equalization. All are elected to serve four-year terms.

B

Legislative

The California legislature is made up of a 40-member Senate and an 80-member Assembly. State senators are elected to four-year terms and members of the assembly to two-year terms. California’s legislature convenes for one of the longest terms of any state legislature. Sessions begin on the first Monday in December of each even-numbered year and last until the end of November in the next even-numbered year. The governor may also call for a special session of the legislature. California’s citizens can pass laws directly or through their power of initiative, or they can prevent a law from being enacted by calling for a referendum.

C

Judicial

The Supreme Court, the highest state court, is made up of a chief justice and six associate justices. Supreme court justices, as well as the justices of the state’s district courts of appeal, serve 12-year terms. They are initially appointed by the governor with the approval of the commission on judicial appointments, and at the expiration of their terms they can run unopposed for election to another term. In addition to these appellate courts, California has superior courts, municipal courts, and various lower courts, with judges elected to six-year terms.

D

Local Government

Most of the 58 counties in California are governed by a five-member board of supervisors elected to four-year terms. Most of the municipalities have the council and city manager form of government.

---

---

E

National Representation

California elects two U.S. senators and 53 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The state casts 55 electoral votes in presidential elections.

VIII

History

	More from Encarta
	•  Presidential Myths Quiz •  Coffee break: Recharge your brain