Government of Arizona

The government of Arizona is made up of three main parts: the executive, the judiciary, and the legislature, as set out by the Arizona Constitution. The executive branch includes the Governor and several other officials elected by the people, along with the Governor’s cabinet who help run different areas like health and transportation.

The legislature, called the Arizona Legislature, has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. These groups make the laws for the state.

The judiciary, or court system, is led by the Arizona Supreme Court and includes lower courts that help solve problems and decide on laws. There are also local governments in Arizona, such as counties, cities, and special districts, which handle matters closer to home like schools and roads.

Executive

Arizona has several important leaders chosen by voters. These include the Governor, who leads the state, and other officials like the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and State Treasurer. Each of these leaders serves for four years and can be re-elected only once in a row.

Arizona does not have a lieutenant governor. Instead, the Secretary of State takes over if the Governor can no longer serve. There are also many departments and agencies that help run the state, such as those handling education, health, and public safety.

Legislature

See also: List of representatives and senators of Arizona Legislature by districts (2023–2033)

The Arizona State Legislature is made up of two parts: the Arizona House of Representatives with 60 members and the Arizona Senate with 30 members. Each area of the state has one senator and two representatives. These leaders are chosen to serve for two years and can serve up to four times in a row in the same group, but they can keep serving again after a break.

Each group of leaders meets every two years. The first meeting after the big vote is called the first regular meeting, and the meeting the next year is the second regular meeting. These meetings start on the second Monday in January and end by the Saturday of the week that is 100 days later. The leaders of the Senate and the House can add up to seven more days if needed, and then more time can be added if most members agree.

Judiciary

The Arizona Supreme Court is the highest court in Arizona. It has one chief justice, a vice chief justice, and five associate justices. Most cases go through the Arizona Court of Appeals before reaching the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court can also decide if laws are unconstitutional.

The Arizona Superior Court handles most important cases in the state. Smaller cases are dealt with by justice courts and municipal courts, which handle issues like small lawsuits and minor offenses.

Merit Selection

Judges in some areas of Arizona are chosen through a process called merit selection. This means the governor picks them from a list made by a special group. These judges then stay in their jobs unless voters decide not to keep them in elections. This process is used in larger counties like Maricopa County and Pima County.

Local government

Main article: Administrative divisions of Arizona

See also: List of counties in Arizona and List of cities and towns in Arizona

Arizona is divided into areas called counties. These counties get their power from the state. Some places within the counties are cities or towns. These cities and towns have their own local governments, often led by a group of elected leaders called a council.