How are state governments organized?

State governments have a similar structure to the U.S. government. They follow the principle of separation of powers.

All 50 states have an executive branch to enforce the laws, with a governor at the head of the branch.

Each has a legislative branch that makes laws for its state. Except for Nebraska, the states have bicameral legislatures, just like the U.S. Congress. Nebraska has a unicameral legislature, so only one group of people makes laws for that state.

Each state has its own judicial branch to interpret the laws and settle criminal and civil cases. The state supreme court is the highest court within the state. It may hear appeals from lower courts. Sometimes cases heard by a state supreme court are appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court if there is a possibility that the state law related to the case is in conflict with the U.S. Constitution.

Explanation:

legislative branch:

one of the three branches of government divided between the senate and the house of representatives.

- creates or makes laws

- power to override a veto

executive branch:

one of the three branches of government, headed by the president.

- enforces or carries out laws

- power to veto a bill sent to it by congress

judicial branch:

one of the three branches of government, headed by the chief justice of the supreme court.

- interprets laws

- power to declare laws or actions by the government unconstitutional