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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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What’s at Stake in the 2024 Montana Supreme Court Elections
Races for two seats on the high court will shape the future of Montana law on criminal justice, environmental rights, and more.
How Elections Are Certified in Battleground States
State laws require officials to certify results, and safeguards are in place should someone fail to fulfill that obligation.
How Years of Legislative Maneuvering Shaped this Year’s Judicial Elections
The outcomes in races in Ohio and North Carolina will be determined in part by legislatures that altered election rules to benefit their allies.
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in October
Issues on the dockets include mail-in voting, line-item vetoes, and life-without-parole sentences.
Pennsylvania High Court Invalidates Attempt to Impeach Reform-Minded Philadelphia Prosecutor
The impeachment effort was part of a troubling trend around the country of increasing attacks on the independence of local prosecutors.
The U.S. Supreme Court's Declining State Case Docket
So far, only 2 out of 28 cases on the high court’s docket arise from state courts, a surprisingly low number given the regularity with which state courts hear cases implicating federal rights.
A Michigan Prosecutor on the Importance of State Judicial Elections
State courts, including lower courts, decide issues critical to the communities they serve, but judicial races are too frequently overlooked.
California’s Constitution Is For the People
One of the nation’s most influential constitutions, California’s charter protects direct democracy, limits taxation, and secures individual liberty.