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Government Structure
State constitutions vary in how they structure state governments and distribute power among the branches of government and between the state and localities. State governments include statewide executive, legislative, and judicial branches, but also multiple county, district, municipal, and local governments.
Home rule disputes between states and localities, separation of powers among the branches of government, the limits of executive power, jurisdiction of courts, and limits on legislative authority all regularly give rise to litigation.
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Texas Two-Steps Away from Government Lawyer Accountability, Montana Does not Follow
The Texas high court cited separation-of-powers concerns when stripping a state disciplinary commission of the authority to pursue certain grievances against executive branch lawyers.
Proposed Ballot Measure Would Limit Montana Legislature from Burdening Direct Democracy
The proposed measure is in reaction to legislative efforts to make it more difficult for citizens to amend the state constitution.
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in March
Issues on the dockets include mid-decade redistricting, ghost guns, a challenge to a DOJ request for voter data, gender-affirming care for minors, and SpaceX rocket launches.
What We're Watching in the 2026 Elections
State Court Report’s new Election 2026 hub provides coverage of major legal and judicial developments shaping this election cycle.
State Supreme Court Races to Watch in 2026
More than thirty states will hold elections for supreme court seats this year, including Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Montana where court decisions have been political flashpoints.
A Conversation with Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Melissa Long
Justice Melissa Long was appointed to the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 2021, becoming the state’s first Black high court justice. She was previously an associate justice on the Rhode Island Superior Court. In her interview, Long discusses how state courts can engage with the public, shore up trust in democratic institutions, and search for innovative solutions.
The Next Wave of Legislative Assaults on State Courts
Utah’s rush to add seats to its supreme court signals a major escalation in legislative tactics to curb judicial independence.
How Courts Oversee Ballot Initiatives
State courts — and to some degree federal courts — play a significant role in every stage of the direct democracy process.