New Jerseys Government Essay, Research Paper

New Jersey s constitution, the third in its history, was adopted in 1947. It grants considerable power to the governor, who may serve two consecutive four-year terms and be elected to a third after a lapse of four years. Constitutional amendments may be initiated either by the senate or the assembly. The final adoption of an amendment requires the approval of the voters in a general election.

The governor is the only elected executive officer. All other state officers are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. The president of the senate succeeds the governor in case of death In 1997 Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican, was elected governor.

The legislature consists of a 40-member Senate and an 80-member Assembly. Senators are elected for four-year terms and assembly members for two. Special sessions may be called by the governor or by petition of a majority in each house.

All judges in the state are appointed by the governor with the approval of the state senate, except municipal judges, who are appointed by the municipal governments. The state supreme court consists of a chief justice and six associate justices, all of whom serve seven-year terms.

The counties are governed by bodies of officials known as freeholders, who are elected for three-year terms and are responsible for the maintenance of county properties and institutions. The smaller cities and townships mostly have a mayor and a city council, but some have city managers or commissions.

New Jersey elects two U.S. senators and 13 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The state casts 15 electoral votes.