Frequently Asked Questions about Comparing California Government to Those of Other States

Is California’s form of government different from the other states? No, California state government is not unique among the other states. All 50 states provide for a republican form of government in their individual constitutions.

Do the states follow the federal government’s structure with three branches? Yes, all of the states are based upon the federal government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

How is California’s legislative branch of state government structured? California’s Legislature is comprised of two houses – State Assembly and State Senate. The Assembly has 80 members elected every two years and the Senate has 40 members elected every four years

Are all state legislative branches bicameral? With one exception (Nebraska), all states are bicameral and they all have upper and lower houses of differing sizes.

What is the range of legislative terms in other states? For the lower house, half a dozen states provide 4-year terms, while the remaining states, including California, provide 2-year terms. For the upper house, a dozen states provide 2-year terms, while the remaining states, including California, provide 4-year terms. 

Do states impose life-time term limits on legislators? About 35 states do not have term limits for maximum service in legislative office. California imposes a maximum of 12 years in legislative office(s).

What is the range of sizes of legislatures in other states? The size of the lower houses ranges from 42 to 400 members. The size of the upper houses ranges from 21 to 67 members.

What are the vote requirements in state legislatures? About 22 states have a simple majority vote requirement for all measures. The remaining states, including California, have a hybrid system requiring both simple and super majority votes for measures that are considered.

Who is the head of the executive branch in state governments? The governor is the chief executive in all 50 states.

What is the length of term for a governor? In two states, the length of a gubernatorial term is two years. In the remaining states, including California, it is a four-year term. Roughly 16 states do not have a maximum limit on terms that a governor can serve, while the remaining states, including California, cap the number of terms to two.

How many executive branch elected officials are there in California? California’s Governor is one of nine constitutional officers elected every four years.

What is the role of the second highest state officer? A Lt. Governor takes the place of the Governor in specified circumstances. In California, the Lt. Governor is elected separately and is limited to two 4-year terms. About half a dozen states do not have a Lt. Governor, while the remaining states do.

What comprises California’s judicial branch? California’s judicial branch is comprised of superior courts (trial courts), courts of appeal (intermediate appellate courts), and the Supreme Court (the highest court).

How are members of the judiciary chosen in California? All appellate court justices are selected by the governor and confirmed by a separate body. Trial court judges are elected; however, the governor appoints superior court judges to fill vacancies. Appellate justices in this state face “retention elections” every 12 years.

What is the highest court in the states? All of the states have a supreme court as the highest court in their state. Most states, including California, have seven seats on the high court, with the lowest at five and the highest at nine.

How long can appellate court judges serve? Four states have lifetime appointments, while the remainder use six to fourteen-year terms, with a majority at eight years. Roughly twenty states have a mandatory retirement age for judges. About twenty states elect their high court justices, while the remainder, including California, are appointed to their office.