The Three Branches
Key Terms
bicameral, lieutenant governor, plurality, item veto,
civil case, criminal case
Find Out
• How do state legislatures and governors work
together to pass laws and carry out policies that
affect citizens of a state?
• How do states differ in their methods of selecting
qualified people to serve as judges?
The Three Branches
Understanding Concepts
Separation of Powers How does the principle of
separation of powers in state government compare
with that of the federal government?
Section Objective
Discuss the organization and functions of the three
branches of state governments.
Seven sitting governors have been elected
president: Rutherford B. Hayes (Ohio),
Grover Cleveland (Ohio), William McKinley
(Ohio), Woodrow Wilson (New Jersey),
Franklin Roosevelt (New York), Bill Clinton
(Arkansas), and George W. Bush (Texas).
I. The Legislative Branch (pages 641–642)
A. The state legislature passes laws.
B. Members of state legislatures are elected
from legislative districts. Qualifications for
members are outlined in state constitutions.
C. Many state legislators work part-time in
other fields.
D. Most state legislatures:
1) are bicameral,
2) hold annual sessions, and
3) conduct business through committees.
I. The Legislative Branch (pages 641–642)
E. Many bills originate in the executive branch
of state government.
F. A bill begins in either house of the state
legislature and is debated and voted on. The
governor vetoes or signs passed bills.
I. The Legislative Branch (pages 641–642)
If you had the power to do so, how might
you adjust the qualifications for members
of your state legislature?
Answers will vary. Students should know the
qualifications for their own state.
II. The Executive Branch (pages 643–645)
A. The governor heads the executive branch of
the state government.
B. State constitutions outline qualifications of
the governor.
C. A governor generally must be nominated
by a major political party and win the
general election.
D. Most governors serve four-year terms. In 18
states, governors and other officials can be
removed from office by a recall.
II. The Executive Branch (pages 643–645)
E. The governor proposes and signs laws,
represents the state to foreign businesses, is
his or her party’s state leader, and works to
obtain federal grants.
F. Most governors prepare the state budget
and are commander in chief of the state
National Guard.
G. Since 1965, most states have given
governors greater executive power.
II. The Executive Branch (pages 643–645)
H. Governors
1) supervise the executive branch of the
state government,
2) propose legislation,
3) veto bills,
4) call special sessions of the state
legislature, and
5) have limited power over the state
court system.
I. Most states elect other members of the
executive branch.
II. The Executive Branch (pages 643–645)
In which role does the governor of your
state perform best? Explain.
Answers will vary. Roles include executive,
legislator, party leader, state spokesperson.
III. The Judicial Branch (pages 646–647)
A. State courts interpret and apply state and
local laws to civil and criminal cases.
B. The justice court performs marriages and
handles minor civil and criminal cases.
C. Municipal courts, police courts, or magistrate
courts handle cases of petty crime or
property disputes. Other minor courts
include small claims court, juvenile court,
domestic relations court, traffic court, and
probate court.
III. The Judicial Branch (pages 646–647)
D. State general trial courts hear cases
involving serious crimes.
E. State appeals courts review cases of
lower courts.
F. A state supreme court is the court of
final appeal.
G. Judges may be removed from office.
III. The Judicial Branch (pages 646–647)
What do you think is a good reason to remove
a judge from office? Why?
Answers will vary. See Removal of Judges
on text page 647.
Checking for Understanding
1. Main Idea Use a graphic organizer like the one
below to show how the roles of president and
governor differ in at least two ways.
Answers might include: president—makes
foreign policy, does not have line-item veto;
governor—does not make foreign policy, has
line-item veto
Checking for Understanding
Match the term with the correct definition.
___
F bicameral
___
C lieutenant
governor
___
E plurality
___
B item veto
___
D civil case
___
A criminal case
A. when the state brings charges
against a citizen for violating the law
B. the power to turn down particular
items in a bill without vetoing the
entire bill
C. the presiding officer of the upper
house in some state legislatures
D. usually involves a dispute between
two or more private individuals or
organizations
E. the largest number of votes in an
election
F. two-house legislative body
Checking for Understanding
3. Identify National Guard, attorney general,
secretary of state, Missouri Plan.
The National Guard is a state militia that
serves under the governor’s control.
The attorney general supervises the legal
activities of all state agencies, gives legal
advice to the governor, and acts as a lawyer for
the state in cases in which it is involved.
The secretary of state is the chief secretary or
clerk of state government.
The Missouri Plan is a selection process for
judges that combines appointment by the
governor and popular election.
Checking for Understanding
4. Why do some people question the wisdom of
electing state court judges?
They question whether people are informed
enough to elect judges, and they fear political
influences upon judges who are elected.
Critical Thinking
5. Making Comparisons How is the path a bill
takes to become a law similar in a state
legislature and the national Congress?
The bill is introduced by legislators, sent to a
committee, reported back to the house, passed
by both houses, and signed by the chief
executive. A conference committee may resolve
differences and the legislature may pass a bill
over an executive veto by a two-thirds majority
vote in both houses.
Separation of Powers Look through local
newspapers and find articles about the
governor of your state. For each article,
describe what role or roles your governor
is playing. Attach your article and role
description on a class bulletin-board
display titled “The Roles of the Governor.”