Structure of State and local government and voting.

2. “In the United States all power
originates from the states. It was the
states that created the federal
government, and it’s each state
constitution that creates county and
local governments”

6. States Have Their Own:
✕State constitution, and three branches of government:
legislative, executive, judicial (just like Federal!)
✕The Governor is the leader of the State, and each
branch.
○ Chief Executive, Chief Legislator, Judicial Leader,
Commander in Chief, Party leader, Ceremonial
leader.
✕State National Guard
✕Regulation for businesses, education
✕licenses doctors, lawyers

8. Types of Local Government
• There are 4 basic types of local governments:
– The County
– The Township
– The Municipality
– The Special District
• The county is normally the largest territorial and political
subdivision of the state..
• Counties began in the south where population was more sparse
than in the north.
• In metropolitan areas, the county government has been
growing more powerful.

9. Types of Local Government
• In most counties, a county board has both
executive and legislative powers. Board
officials are usually elected by the voters.
• Townships exist in less than half the states,
and their powers and duties vary from state to
state.
• The municipality is an urban unit of
government that has legal rights granted to it
by the state.
• The special district is a unit of local
government that deals with a specific function

10. County Government
✕Local governments are established by state governments.
✕All counties provide services for their citizens.
✕Provide law enforcement, set up hospitals, improve
transportation, and set up public libraries.
✕Collect revenue through property tax and sales tax.
✕Have executive power to enforce laws

12. County Officials
✕Sheriff: Law enforcement. Keeps peace and manages
the jail.
✕District attorney: Investigates crime and prosecutes in
court.
✕Coroner: Establishes the cause of death.
✕County clerk: Keeps official records.
✕Assessor: Determines the value of property for tax
purposes.
*There can be positions at all levels ie state police, county
police, city police

13. City Government
✕Must get a charter from the state government.
✕Voters elect a city council.
○ City council members are elected by voters in their
districts
✕City council appoints a manager to run the city.
✕Voters elect a mayor to be the highest ranking official
to lead the City.

15. Federalism
✕National government shares power with the states.
✕States can have different laws than other states
✕Many states have different laws regulating
different substances like drugs. Recreational
Marijuana is legal in Washington and Colorado.
Medicinal Marijuana is legal in California
✕Some states it is easier to buy a gun than others
✕Each state decides its healthcare system. Ex: My
health insurance is only good in the state I live
in.

16. Federal vs City conflicts
• Sanctuary Cities - limit their cooperation with
the national government's effort to enforce
immigration law.
Ex: New York city passed laws that banned
employees from assisting in federal immigration
enforcement
“We’re taking a serious stance and saying that
New York is a sanctuary city. We are not going to
held federal authorities find immigrants in this
city that are no threat to the resident of New
York City,” Councilman Rafael Espinal (D-

17. Federal vs State conflicts
• Gay marriage:
“The Supreme Court on Friday legalized same-
sex marriage in the United States. In the 5-4
landmark decision, the majority of justices ruled
that states must license same-sex marriages and
also recognize gay marriages performed legally in
other states.Jun 26, 2015

18. • 18 years old
• US citizen
• legal resident of a State
• Registered to vote
What qualifies you
to vote?

19. • Initiative – A means by which a petition signed by
a certain minimum number of registered voters
can force a public vote.
• Referendum - A direct vote in which an entire
electorate is asked to vote on a particular proposal.
• Proposition - A ballot measure to be approved or
rejected by eligible voters.
State and Local Voting
Procedures

20. The Constitution does not mandate a voting method -
The States.While voting laws vary, almost all states do
the following:
● Voting is conducted in secret.
● Voters having to go to a specific polling place at a
specific time is the standard for voting in the U.S.
● Candidates can only run under one party.
● Votes are non-transferable.
The Modern USA
Voting System

21. The Electoral College
Voting System
● The United States Electoral College is a name of the
538 Presidential electors who come together every four
years during the presidential election
● Give their official votes for President and Vice President
of the United States. The Electoral College was
established by the Founding Fathers of the United
States as a compromise between election of the
president by Congress and election by popular vote.
● In order to win in the Electoral College, a candidate
needs 270 votes. If there is no winner in the Electoral
College, the House of Representatives elects the
President and the Senate elects the Vice-President.

22. The Electoral College
Voting System