Michigan's government operates under the state constitution adopted in 1963. It is divided into three branches: the Executive branch, led by the Governor; the Legislative branch, consisting of a bicameral Michigan Legislature (the 110-member House of Representatives and the 38-member Senate); and the Judicial branch, headed by the Michigan Supreme Court.
The capital is Lansing. The state is divided into 83 counties, each with its own local administrative functions. Politically, Michigan is considered a crucial "swing state" in national elections, with political power often shifting between the Democratic and Republican parties. Urban areas like Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Lansing tend to vote heavily Democratic, while the rural areas, northern Lower Peninsula, and much of the Upper Peninsula lean Republican. Grand Rapids and its surrounding suburbs are often highly competitive.