Comparison of U.S. state and territory governments
The States of the United States have individual and unique governments with many similarities. All states are required by the constitution to have republican governments. Despite their similarities, all states have different government structures and procedures.
The following tables compare some of the features of State governments, and the District of Columbia, in the United States.
Executive
| State | Governor term length | Governor term limit | Lieutenant Governor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Alaska | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Arizona | Four years | Two terms | No |
| Arkansas | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| California | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Colorado | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Connecticut | Four years | None | Yes |
| Delaware | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Florida | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Georgia | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Hawaii | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Idaho | Four years | None | Yes |
| Illinois | Four years | None | Yes |
| Indiana | Four years | Two terms[note 1] | Yes |
| Iowa | Four years | None | Yes |
| Kansas | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Kentucky | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Louisiana | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Maine | Four years | Two terms | No |
| Maryland | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Four years | None | Yes |
| Michigan | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Minnesota | Four years | None | Yes |
| Mississippi | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Missouri | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Montana | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Nebraska | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Nevada | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Two years | None | Yes |
| New Jersey | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| New Mexico | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| New York | Four years | None | Yes |
| North Carolina | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| North Dakota | Four years | None | Yes |
| Ohio | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Oregon | Four years | Two terms | No |
| Pennsylvania | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| South Carolina | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| South Dakota | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Tennessee | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Texas | Four years | None | Yes |
| Utah | Four years | None | Yes |
| Vermont | Two years | None | Yes |
| Virginia | Four years | One term | Yes |
| Washington | Four years | None | Yes |
| West Virginia | Four years | Two terms | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Four years | None | Yes |
| Wyoming | Four years | Two terms | No |
Note: Table does not distinguish between consecutive term limits and total term limits, unless otherwise noted.
Legislative
All American state legislatures have two legislative bodies, except Nebraska, which has one. Most of these bodies are bicameral, meaning there is one legislative body separated into two units. However some systems, such as New York, have two legislative bodies although never technically referring to them in the state constitution as a single body. These dual systems are generally considered bicameral.
The following table compares common legislative features of each state.
Judicial
Note: Table does not distinguish between term lengths that result in a new election and term lengths that result in a retention vote but not a full election.
See also
Notes
- ^ Governors of Indiana may serve an unlimited number of terms, but may only serve for eight years in any twelve year period. (Constitution of Indiana Article 5)
- ^ State representatives were limited to three terms (6 years) until term limits were repealed by Oregon Ballot Measure 3 (1992).
- ^ State senators were limited to two terms (8 years) until term limits were repealed by Oregon Ballot Measure 3 (1992).
- ^ Uncompleted entries do not indicate the lack of a retirement age, only a lack of data in this article. States without a mandatory retirement age will indicate "None".
- ^ Retention election held after two years of service. Mandatory retirement at age 75.
- ^ The Indiana retirement age is the same regardless of the length of the Justice's remaining term.
- ^ While Michigan law stipulates that State Supreme Court judges be listed on the "non-partisan" section on the ballot, only candidates who have been nominated by political parties with ballot access at their respective state conventions are allowed to stand in the succeeding general election. Subsequently, each party is only allowed to nominate as many candidates as there are supreme court seats up for election in a given year.
References
- ^ Judgepedia.org, Connecticut Supreme Court, found here.
- ^ Referrs to initial "probation" period. If the governor reappoints them (Almost universally true) they then serve for life
- ^ a b Linda Greenhouse, "The Case for Term Limits on the Supreme Court with Linda Greenhouse", Yale Political Union, May 28, 2009, [1]
- ^ Aaron Applegate, Mike Saewitz, "Bill seeks to raise mandatory retirement age for judges to 73", The Virginian-Pilot, February 4, 2010, [2]
- National Conference of State Legislatures Term Limit Chart
- Term Limits.Org, Term limit data for AZ AR CA CO FL LA MA MI MO MT NB NV OH OK SD WY [3], Accessed on June 27, 2009.
- Little. The legislative branch of state government: people, process, and politics. ISBN 1851097619.
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