Ohio's state government operates under the Ohio Constitution and is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch is led by the Governor, who is elected to a four-year term, alongside other elected officials including the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Auditor.
The legislative branch is the bicameral Ohio General Assembly, consisting of a 99-member House of Representatives and a 33-member Senate. The judicial system is capped by the Ohio Supreme Court, which oversees a network of courts of appeals and county-level courts of common pleas.
Administratively, Ohio is divided into 88 counties, each with its own local government structure, typically a board of commissioners. Politically, Ohio has historically functioned as the nation's premier "bellwether" swing state, though recent electoral cycles have shown a discernible shift toward the Republican party in statewide and national contests. Public services are extensive, with robust state-funded park systems, transportation networks, and numerous public universities.