Oregon is governed under the **Constitution of Oregon** as a U.S. state with executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The **capital is Salem**.
## State government structure
- **Executive branch**: Led by the **Governor of Oregon**, along with other statewide elected officials such as the Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries. - **Legislative branch**: The **Oregon Legislative Assembly**, a bicameral body made up of the **Oregon Senate** and the **Oregon House of Representatives**. - **Judicial branch**: Headed by the **Oregon Supreme Court**, with the **Oregon Court of Appeals**, circuit courts, tax court, and local courts beneath it.
## Administrative divisions
- **Counties**: 36 - **Municipal governments**: Cities operate under a mix of charters and state law. - **Special districts**: Oregon relies on many special districts for schools, fire protection, water, transit, ports, and other public services.
## Political representation
Oregon is represented in the **United States Congress** by two U.S. senators and a delegation in the U.S. House apportioned by population. At the state level, residents are represented through legislative districts in the House and Senate. Political geography often reflects a strong urban-rural divide, with the Portland area and several college towns tending to vote differently from many rural counties.
## Public services
The state oversees or helps fund:
- Public education and universities - State highways and transportation planning - Public health systems - Environmental regulation and land-use planning - Fish, wildlife, forestry, and parks management - Courts, corrections, and public safety - Social services and labor regulation
Oregon is particularly known for its **statewide land-use planning system**, created in the 1970s, which has shaped urban growth boundaries, farmland preservation, and development patterns. The state also has a long tradition of **ballot initiatives and referendums**, giving voters a direct role in policymaking.