1. State Government Structures

2. Similar Structures
The Michigan Constitution closely mirrors the US Constitution
Three Articles of the Constitution set up structures in the Federal Government
1st - The Legislature
2nd - The President
3rd - The Judiciary
Michigan Constitution has similar structures
Legislature
Governor
Court
State governments deliver public services to residents through state agencies and local governments.
The same way that the Federal government delivers through federal agencies.

3. The State Legislature
Article IV of the Michigan Constitution sets up legislature
Representatives and Senators
Often referred to as “State Representative” or “State Senator” to avoid confusion with Federal counterparts
State House of Representatives for 2019
110 Representatives
58 Republicans
52 Democrats
Elected every two years
State Senate for 2019
38 Senators
22 Republicans
16 Democrats

4. Term
In 1992, the voters amended the Constitution to limit the number of years an officer can serve.
State House of Representatives
One may not be elected more than 3 two year terms.
6 years total
State Senate
One may not be elected more than 2 four year terms.
8 years total

5. The State Executive The Governor Term Elected to a 4 year term
Cannot run more than twice (8 years)
Duties
Oversees state executive agencies
Power to grant pardons and commutations
Commander-in-Chief of state military establishment
Submits a budget
Appoints members of University governing boards
Rick Snyder is the 48th elected Governor
Gretchen Whitmer will be the 49th elected Governor

6. The State Courts Three levels of state court in Michigan
1st - District
105 district courts in the state
Deal with traffic violations, civil disputes and landlord tenant disputes.
District judges are elected
6 year terms
Appeals for this court are heard by the Michigan Appeals Court
2nd - Appeals Court
judge panels across the state
Use past precedent to guide their decisions.
Four courts
Detroit, Troy, Grand Rapids, Lansing

7. The State Courts Three levels of state court in Michigan
3rd - Supreme Court
Created when Michigan was a territory (1805)
7 justices
Elected to 8 year terms
Oversees the operations of all state trial courts
Justices are elected on partisan ballot
4 Republicans
3 Democrats
Court of last resort