New Jersey operates under a state constitution adopted in 1947, providing for a tripartite system of government: executive, legislative, and judicial.
The executive branch is led by the Governor, who is considered one of the most powerful state chief executives in the nation due to extensive appointment powers and veto authority. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected jointly to four-year terms.
The legislative branch consists of a bicameral New Jersey Legislature: the Senate (40 members) and the General Assembly (80 members). The state is divided into 40 legislative districts, with each district electing one Senator and two Assembly members.
The judicial branch is headed by the New Jersey Supreme Court, comprising a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. New Jersey is heavily represented in national politics, sending 12 representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives and two members to the U.S. Senate. The state is broadly known for robust public services, particularly in funding public education.
