Interactive tool
Levels, branches, who chooses whom, terms, election years and a quick check, in one place. Facts checked November 4, 2026.
01
US government is not one chain of command. It is several governments that overlap where you live: federal, state and local. This guide shows what each one does, who chooses each office, how long terms last and which elections fall in which years. Rules differ from state to state, so the guide says what varies and uses Pennsylvania as a worked example. Facts are current as of November 4, 2026.
The national government handles matters for the whole country, such as defense, money and trade between states.
What it handles
Who leads it
Congress makes the laws, and voters elect its members. The president and vice president are chosen through the Electoral College. Supreme Court justices and other Article III judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Art. I, § 8; Art. II, §§ 1-2; Art. III; travel.state.gov
Each of the 50 states has its own government, laws and courts. State courts hear most criminal cases and most cases about contracts, injuries, wills and families.
What it handles
Who leads it
A governor leads the executive branch and is elected statewide, for 4 years in 48 states and 2 years in New Hampshire and Vermont. A legislature makes state laws; every state has 2 chambers except Nebraska, which has 1. State judges are chosen in different ways, depending on the state.
uscourts.gov; Art. I, § 4; Ballotpedia; NCSL
A county government serves a region of a state. There were 3,031 county governments in 2025. Connecticut, Rhode Island, Washington, DC, and small parts of some other states have none.
What it handles
Who leads it
Usually an elected board of commissioners or supervisors. About 700 counties also elect a county executive, and many others hire an administrator. Many counties elect other officers too, such as a sheriff, a district attorney and a treasurer.
Census (2022, 2025); NACo; BJS
A municipal or township government serves one community. The Census Bureau counted 19,489 municipal and 16,184 township governments in 2025.
What it handles
Who leads it
An elected council or board. Many places also have a mayor, who may be elected by voters or chosen by the council. Some councils hire a professional manager.
Census (2025); NLC; Upper Saucon Twp., PA; York County, PA
A school district runs public schools. Of the 13,853 public school systems in 2025, 12,535 were independent school districts. The rest were run by another government, such as a city or county.
What it handles
Who leads it
A school board. More than 97% of school board members are elected; a small number of boards are appointed.
Census (2025); Ballotpedia
A special district is a government set up for one job or a few related jobs. There were 40,199 in 2025, more than any other type of local government.
What it handles
Who leads it
A board. Depending on the district, its members are elected by voters or appointed by public officials.
Census (2022, 2025)
02
The federal government has three branches. Each has its own job, and each can limit the other two.
Makes the laws
Congress: the House of Representatives, with 435 voting members, and the Senate, with 100. Each state also has its own legislature.
Art. I; Art. II, § 2
Carries out the laws
The president, the vice president and the federal departments and agencies. Each state has a governor.
Art. I, § 7; Art. II, §§ 2-3
Decides cases
The Supreme Court and the lower federal courts, including 94 district courts. Each state also has its own courts.
Art. III; uscourts.gov; usa.gov
Congress can
Check the president
Check the courts
The president can
Check Congress
Check the courts
The courts can
Check Congress
Check the president
6 steps
CongressHouse or Senate
A bill can start in either chamber. Bills that raise revenue must start in the House.
Art. I, § 7, cl. 1
CongressHouse and Senate
The House and the Senate must each pass the bill before it goes to the president.
Art. I, § 7, cl. 2
PresidentPresident
If the president signs, the bill becomes law. If the president objects, it goes back to the chamber where it started, along with the objections.
Art. I, § 7, cl. 2
PresidentPresident
If the president does not act within 10 days, not counting Sundays, the bill becomes law anyway. If Congress has adjourned and so prevents its return, it does not become law.
Art. I, § 7, cl. 2
CongressHouse and Senate
If two-thirds of the members voting in each chamber, with a quorum present, vote to pass the bill again, it becomes law without the president’s signature.
Art. I, § 7, cl. 2
CourtsFederal courts
If someone challenges the law in a case, the courts can decide whether it fits the Constitution. The Supreme Court can overturn a law it finds unconstitutional.
Art. III, § 2; usa.gov
03
Some offices are elected by voters. Others are appointed, confirmed or hired. Filter by level or by how the job is filled.
52 entries
Presidential electors, whom each state and Washington, DC, appoint based on the November vote
A candidate needs a majority of the electors appointed: 270 when all 538 are appointed. If no one has a majority, the House chooses, with each state delegation casting 1 vote.
Art. II, § 1; Amdts. XII, XXII; National Archives
Term
4 years; no one can be elected more than twice
Presidential electors, in a separate vote from the one for president
Each presidential nominee names a running mate. The vice president presides over the Senate, votes only to break a tie and becomes president if the president dies, resigns or is removed.
Art. I, § 3, cl. 4; Amdts. XII, XXV; usa.gov
Term
4 years
Voters across the whole state
Each state has 2 senators. Terms are staggered, so about one-third of seats (33 or 34) are up every 2 years.
Amdt. XVII; senate.gov
Term
6 years
Voters in a congressional district
The House has 435 voting members, divided among the states by population. Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming each have 1 seat, elected statewide.
Art. I, § 2; house.gov; Ballotpedia
Term
2 years
Voters in Washington, DC, or a US territory
There are 5 delegates and 1 resident commissioner. They can introduce bills and serve on committees, but they cannot vote when the full House votes to pass a bill.
clerk.house.gov; 48 U.S.C. § 891
Term
2 years; 4 years for Puerto Rico’s resident commissioner
Each state, in the way its legislature directs; Washington, DC, has 3 electors
Electors meet in their states in December and vote for president and vice president.
Art. II, § 1, cl. 2; Amdt. XXIII; 3 U.S.C. § 7
Term
Serves for one presidential election
Members of the House
Not chosen on any public ballot. The Speaker leads the House.
Art. I, § 2, cl. 5; house.gov
Term
No term set in the Constitution
Members of the Senate
Presides over the Senate when the vice president is absent.
Art. I, § 3, cl. 5
Term
No term set in the Constitution
Nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate
Heads one of the federal executive departments.
Art. II, § 2, cl. 2
Term
No fixed term
Nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate
Prosecutes federal crimes and handles civil cases for the United States in one federal judicial district. A different office from a county district attorney.
28 U.S.C. §§ 541, 547
Term
4 years; the president can remove them
Nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate
Judges in the 3 territorial district courts serve 10-year terms instead.
Art. II, § 2, cl. 2; Art. III, § 1; uscourts.gov
Term
No fixed term; they serve "during good Behaviour"
The district judges of that federal court
Not elected. Magistrate judges work alongside district judges on duties that the law and the court assign.
28 U.S.C. § 631; uscourts.gov
Term
8 years full time; 4 years part time
Voters statewide
In Pennsylvania, for example, the governor can veto bills, and the legislature can override with two-thirds of all members elected to each chamber.
Ballotpedia; Pa. Const. art. IV, §§ 3, 15
Term
4 years in 48 states; 2 years in New Hampshire and Vermont
Voters: on a joint ticket with the governor in 27 states, separately in 17. In Tennessee and West Virginia, the state senate’s leader holds the title.
Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Wyoming have no lieutenant governor. Arizona held its first election for the office in 2026. In Pennsylvania, one vote elects the governor and lieutenant governor together.
Ballotpedia; Pa. Const. art. IV, § 4
Term
Varies by state
Voters in a state senate district
Nebraska has a single chamber of 49 members, called senators, who serve 4-year terms.
NCSL
Term
4 years in 38 states; 2 years in 12
Voters in a district of the lower chamber
Names differ: Virginia’s lower chamber is the House of Delegates, and New Jersey’s is the General Assembly.
NCSL; Ballotpedia
Term
2 years in 44 states; 4 years in Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi and North Dakota
Voters statewide, in 43 states
In 5 states the governor appoints the attorney general. In Maine the legislature chooses, and in Tennessee the state supreme court does.
Ballotpedia (2026)
Term
Varies by state
Voters statewide, in 35 states
The governor appoints in 9 states, including Pennsylvania, where the office is called Secretary of the Commonwealth. The legislature chooses in 3. Alaska, Hawaii and Utah have no such office.
Ballotpedia (2026)
Term
Varies by state
Voters statewide, in 36 states
Appointed in 12 states.
Ballotpedia; Pa. Const. art. IV, § 18
Term
Varies by state; 4 years in Pennsylvania
Voters in 24 states; appointed in 24
Pennsylvania elects an auditor general.
Ballotpedia; Pa. Const. art. IV, § 18
Term
Varies by state; 4 years in Pennsylvania
Usually the state board of education or the governor
Voters elect the state superintendent in 12 states: Arizona, California, Georgia, Idaho, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Ballotpedia (2026)
Term
Varies by state
The governor, in 38 states
Elected in 12 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia.
Ballotpedia (2026)
Term
Varies by state
Appointed in 39 states, usually by the governor
Elected in 11 states: California, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Washington.
Ballotpedia (2026)
Term
Varies by state
Elected in 4 states: Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Oregon
Ballotpedia (2026)
Term
Varies by state
Appointed in 40 states
Elected in 10 states: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Ballotpedia (2026)
Term
Varies by state
Elected in 5 states: Arkansas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas and Washington
Ballotpedia (2026)
Term
Varies by state
Texas voters
Despite the name, the commission has had no railroad duties since 2005. It oversees oil and gas wells, pipelines and coal surface mining, among other work.
Railroad Commission of Texas
Term
6 years; 3 commissioners serve overlapping terms
Elected, under the Michigan Constitution
Covers the boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University. This is one state’s example.
Mich. Const. art. VIII, § 5
Term
8 years
Depends on the state: election, appointment, or appointment followed by retention votes
In Pennsylvania, a justice wins a first term in an election, then faces yes-or-no retention votes. Ballotpedia counts 20 states that use retention elections.
uscourts.gov; pacourts.us; Ballotpedia
Term
Varies; 10 years in Pennsylvania
Depends on the state and the court
In Pennsylvania, the governor can fill a vacancy until the next election, with state Senate confirmation.
uscourts.gov; pacourts.us
Term
Varies; 10 years for Pennsylvania appeals and Common Pleas judges
Voters in the magisterial district
Hears traffic and other summary cases, landlord-tenant cases and civil claims of $12,000 or less. Also handles early steps in criminal cases, such as setting bail. Unlike other Pennsylvania judges, they do not face retention votes; they run in regular elections.
pacourts.us; 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515
Term
6 years
Philadelphia voters
An example of an elected municipal court judge.
pacourts.us
Term
6 years
County voters
In the traditional form, the county board holds both lawmaking and executive power.
NACo; Pa. Const. art. IX, § 4
Term
Varies; 4 years in Pennsylvania
County voters
Found in about 700 counties. About 1,300 counties have an appointed administrator, and 83 have both.
NACo
Term
Usually 4 years
Usually the county board
Runs daily operations and often prepares the budget.
NACo
Term
No elected term
County voters
Presides over the commissioners court, which governs the county, and usually also serves as a judge of the county court. Kentucky’s county judge/executive is likewise the county’s chief executive.
Jefferson County, TX; KRS 67.710
Term
4 years
County voters, in most states
Duties can include running the jail, court security and serving court papers. Alaska and Connecticut have no sheriffs, and Hawaii and Rhode Island appoint theirs. In many Pennsylvania counties, a prison board that includes the sheriff oversees the jail.
Cornell LII; BJS; Berks County, PA
Term
Varies; 4 years in Pennsylvania
Voters in a county or judicial district, in most states
The chief local prosecutor for state crimes. A 2001 federal survey found chief prosecutors were appointed, not elected, in Alaska, Connecticut, New Jersey and Washington, DC.
BJS (2001)
Term
4 years in most places
County voters, where a coroner system is used
In most states, coroners do not have to be doctors. CDC maps from December 2023 show medical examiners, who are generally appointed, serving most counties in 23 states and Washington, DC, and coroners serving most counties in 20 states.
CDC; York County, PA
Term
Varies; 4 years in Pennsylvania
County voters
Includes the controller, treasurer, recorder of deeds, register of wills, prothonotary (civil court records) and clerk of courts (criminal court records). Public defenders are appointed, not elected.
Pa. Const. art. IX, § 4; Bucks County, PA
Term
4 years
Voters in many places; in some council-manager cities, the council chooses a mayor from among its members
Powers depend on the charter and state law. A Pennsylvania borough mayor, for example, takes charge of the police department if the borough has one.
NLC; Upper Saucon Twp., PA
Term
Varies; 4 years in Pennsylvania boroughs
Local voters
Pennsylvania borough councils usually have 7 members with overlapping terms.
Upper Saucon Twp., PA; York County, PA
Term
Varies; 4 years in Pennsylvania
The city council
Runs day-to-day operations in the council-manager form. In State College, Pennsylvania, for example, the council appoints a borough manager.
NLC; State College, PA
Term
No elected term
Voters in a second class township
Boards usually have 3 supervisors; voters can expand a board to 5.
Upper Saucon Twp., PA; York County, PA
Term
6 years
Voters in a first class township
5 commissioners elected at large, or 1 per ward.
Upper Saucon Twp., PA
Term
4 years
Local voters
York County, PA
Term
4 years
Township voters
York County, PA
Term
6 years
Voters in a borough, township or city ward
Serves court papers, provides security at magisterial district courts and keeps the peace at polling places. Constables are independently elected, not county or court employees.
Chester County, PA
Term
6 years
Voters in the election district (precinct)
An election official, not a courtroom judge. Each election district also elects a majority inspector and a minority inspector.
York County, PA
Term
4 years
Voters in the district, in most districts
More than 97% of school board members are elected; a small number of boards are appointed.
Ballotpedia; York County, PA
Term
Varies; 4 years for Pennsylvania school directors
Usually the school board
Often sits on the board as a nonvoting member.
Ballotpedia (2026)
Term
Varies
Voters or public officials, depending on the district
Special districts handle jobs such as water, fire protection, libraries and soil and water conservation. There were 40,199 in 2025.
Census (2022, 2025)
Term
Varies
04
A representative serves 2 years, the president 4 and a senator 6. Every other term on this list is set by a state constitution or law.
Art. I, §§ 2–3; Art. II, § 1; Art. III, § 1; state constitutions and laws listed in the sources
05
Federal elections fall in even years. Some states and many local governments vote in odd years. Pick a year.
The general election was held on November 3, 2026, halfway through the presidential term.
2 U.S.C. § 7; senate.gov; Ballotpedia; NCSL; Pa. Const. art. II
Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia vote on November 2, 2027. Louisiana sets its own dates; its general election is November 20, 2027.
Ballotpedia; Art. I, § 2, cl. 4; Pa. Const. art. VII, § 3; pa.gov
Election Day is November 7, 2028. Electors vote on December 19, 2028. Congress counts the electoral votes on January 6, 2029. The new term begins at noon on January 20, 2029.
usa.gov; 3 U.S.C. §§ 7, 15; Amdt. XX; senate.gov; Ballotpedia
Pennsylvania’s municipal election is on November 6, 2029.
Ballotpedia; Pa. Const. art. VII, § 3
General election day is November 5, 2030.
2 U.S.C. § 7; senate.gov; Ballotpedia; Pa. Const. arts. II, IV
Pennsylvania’s municipal election is on November 4, 2031. New Jersey state senators elected this year serve 2 years, because the first term of each decade is shorter.
Ballotpedia; njleg.state.nj.us; Pa. Const. art. VII, § 3
Election Day is November 2, 2032. Electors vote on December 14, 2032. Congress counts the electoral votes on January 6, 2033. The new term begins at noon on January 20, 2033.
2 U.S.C. § 7; 3 U.S.C. §§ 7, 15; Amdt. XX; senate.gov; Ballotpedia
Pennsylvania’s municipal election is on November 8, 2033.
Ballotpedia; njleg.state.nj.us; Pa. Const. art. VII, § 3
06
Most elections follow the same path, though dates and rules come from each state.
8 steps
Primaries narrow the field. In most states, each party picks its nominee; California and Washington instead send the top 2 finishers to the general election, whatever their party. In Pennsylvania, only voters registered with a party can vote in its primary. Any registered voter can still vote on a ballot question or special election on the same ballot. Other states set their own rules.
usa.gov; pa.gov
In presidential years, parties hold national conventions, usually from July to early September, to choose their presidential candidates. Each nominee names a running mate.
usa.gov
Voters choose among the candidates on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Federal races fall in even years; some states and many local governments also vote in odd years.
2 U.S.C. § 7; usa.gov
A special election fills an office that becomes vacant before the term ends. Some states use extra rounds; Louisiana, for example, sets its own primary and general election dates.
Art. I, § 2, cl. 4; pa.gov; Ballotpedia
Some ballots also ask voters to decide a question, such as a change to the state constitution, instead of choosing a person.
pa.gov
In presidential years, electors meet in their states on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December and vote. A candidate needs a majority of the electoral votes, 270 when all 538 are appointed.
3 U.S.C. § 7; National Archives
Congress meets in a joint session on January 6, with the President of the Senate presiding. If no candidate has a majority, the House chooses the president, with each state delegation casting 1 vote. The Senate chooses the vice president.
3 U.S.C. § 15; Amdt. XII
New members of Congress start at noon on January 3. The president’s and vice president’s terms begin at noon on January 20.
Amdt. XX, § 1
07
Everyday problems usually belong to one level of government. Tap a problem to see which one, and what varies.
The local government that maintains your street, often your city, borough, township or county.
Upkeep of roads and bridges is a core job of many local governments, including counties.
A street may belong to a different government than you expect. Your municipality can tell you who maintains it.
NACo
Your school board, which voters elect in most districts.
Most school districts are their own governments, separate from your city or town. More than 97% of school board members are elected.
About 1,300 school systems are run by another government, such as a city or county. In some Alabama cities, for example, the city government appoints the school board.
Census (2022, 2025); Ballotpedia
A local trial court, such as a county or municipal court. In Pennsylvania, a magisterial district judge.
County and municipal courts often hear traffic and other minor cases. Pennsylvania’s magisterial district judges hear summary traffic cases and are elected for 6-year terms.
Court names and setups differ from state to state.
usa.gov; pacourts.us; 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515
A state court. In Pennsylvania, a magisterial district judge hears landlord-tenant cases and civil claims of $12,000 or less.
Most contract cases and family law cases are handled in state courts, not federal courts.
Dollar limits and court names vary by state.
uscourts.gov; 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515
The US Department of State.
Passports are a federal job. The State Department issues them to US citizens.
This is not a state or local matter.
travel.state.gov
Federal agencies. US Citizenship and Immigration Services, part of the Department of Homeland Security, handles applications such as naturalization.
Immigration and naturalization are federal powers.
Immigration courts are a separate part of the Department of Justice. They decide cases, while the Department of Homeland Security enforces immigration law.
Art. I, § 8, cl. 4; uscis.gov; justice.gov/eoir
Often the county sheriff.
Sheriffs’ offices can be responsible for running jails, providing court security and serving court papers.
In many Pennsylvania counties, a prison board oversees the jail. Its members include the sheriff, the district attorney, a judge, the controller and the commissioners. Alaska and Connecticut have no sheriffs, and Hawaii and Rhode Island appoint theirs.
BJS; NACo; Berks County, PA; Cornell LII
The local chief prosecutor, often called the district attorney, whom voters elect in most states.
Most criminal cases are state cases, heard in state courts.
A 2001 federal survey found chief prosecutors were appointed in Alaska, Connecticut, New Jersey and Washington, DC. Federal crimes are prosecuted by a US attorney, who is appointed.
BJS (2001); uscourts.gov; 28 U.S.C. § 547
Your state or local election office.
Under the Constitution, state legislatures set the times, places and manner of congressional elections, and Congress can change those rules. In Pennsylvania, each county’s board of elections runs elections.
Who runs elections day to day differs by state.
Art. I, § 4, cl. 1; NCSL
08
Some titles sound alike but belong to different governments or branches.
28 U.S.C. § 631; pacourts.us
NLC; State College, PA
28 U.S.C. §§ 541, 547; BJS
Jefferson County, TX
York County, PA
house.gov; Pa. Const. art. II, § 16
usa.gov; pa.gov
usa.gov; National Archives
CDC
Ballotpedia (2026)
Art. I, §§ 2-3
09
Twelve questions. No timer, no score shown to anyone but you.
Question 1
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: Congress.
The Constitution gives the power to make federal laws to Congress: the House and the Senate.
Art. I, § 1
Question 2
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: 2 years.
House members are chosen every second year, so all 435 voting seats are up every 2 years.
Art. I, § 2, cl. 1
Question 3
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: The voters of each state.
Under the Seventeenth Amendment, each state’s voters elect its 2 senators for 6-year terms.
Amdt. XVII
Question 4
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: 270.
When all 538 electors are appointed, a majority is 270.
National Archives
Question 5
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: The House, with 1 vote per state delegation.
The Twelfth Amendment sends the choice to the House, where each state’s delegation casts 1 vote. The Senate chooses the vice president.
Amdt. XII
Question 6
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: Two-thirds of the members voting in each chamber.
If two-thirds of the members voting in each chamber vote to pass the bill again, it becomes law without the president’s signature.
Art. I, § 7, cl. 2
Question 7
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: The president nominates them and the Senate confirms them.
The president nominates them, and the Senate confirms or rejects them. Like other Article III judges, they serve with no fixed term.
Art. II, § 2, cl. 2; Art. III, § 1
Question 8
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: The judges of that federal district court.
The district judges of each federal court appoint its magistrate judges, for 8 years full time or 4 years part time.
28 U.S.C. § 631
Question 9
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: Local voters elect them for 6 years.
Pennsylvania voters elect magisterial district judges to 6-year terms.
pacourts.us
Question 10
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: The city council.
In the council-manager form, the elected council appoints a professional manager to run daily operations.
NLC
Question 11
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi elect governors in the year before a presidential election. New Jersey and Virginia vote in 2029.
Ballotpedia (2026)
Question 12
That’s right.
Not quite. The right answer: All voting House seats and about one-third of Senate seats.
Midterms fall halfway through a presidential term. All 435 voting House seats and about one-third of Senate seats are up.
usa.gov
You got .
Every answer links to its source, so you can check anything that surprised you.
10
Short answers, each with its source.
Census (2025); usa.gov
usa.gov; Art. I-III
National Archives; usa.gov
Amdt. XVII; Art. I, § 2; Ballotpedia
usa.gov; 2 U.S.C. § 7
Ballotpedia; Pa. Const. art. VII, § 3
NLC
Cornell LII; BJS
Art. II, § 2; uscourts.gov
28 U.S.C. § 631; pacourts.us
Ballotpedia; Census (2025)
pa.gov; York County, PA
Amdt. XXIII; clerk.house.gov; Census
11
Every claim in this guide was checked on November 4, 2026 against these 88 sources.