US Politics

Before you can cast a ballot in any county, statewide or national election, you must register to vote before the deadline. Voter registration deadlines vary from state to state. In Michigan, for...

From the moment of our birth, we become part of the U.S. record system. Along with a Social Security number, we are given a birth certificate. There are a few times in life when a birth...

There are thousands of elected and appointed officials serving the State of New York throughout the 4,200 local governmental units scattered across the state. However, there are only six elected...

New Jersey became a state on Dec. 18, 1787, making it the third state. It was also the first state to sign the Bill of Rights. In 2008, New Jersey had a population of 8.6 million people.

The secretary of state is the president's primary adviser on foreign affairs. The secretary administers the president's foreign protocols through the foreign service of the United States and the...

The Oregon secretary of state is an elected official who may serve a total of two four-year terms. The secretary of state has executive, fiduciary and administrative duties. The Oregon...

New York's flag features a coat of arms that was deigned more than 200 years ago. The symbolism of the flag depicts the early history of the state using classic artistic elements.

The California secretary of state is best known as the state's chief elections officer, but the authority of her office is much broader. The secretary of state plays a significant role in business...

The budget is one of the most important documents prepared by state governments. It offers insights into the goals, objectives, and priorities of a state government. Because it directly addresses...

To become the presidential nominee of one of the two major political parties in the United States, a candidate must win a majority of the votes cast by delegates at the party's national...

Each of the 50 states within the U.S. has a governor who is essentially the president of that state and responsible for running it. Governors are elected officials who serve a term of 4 years in...

When most people talk about government spending, they refer to the federal government, which spends more than $2 trillion per year. State governments, by contrast, receive far less attention ; the...

A state treasurer is an elected official who is the custodian for all state funds. She serves a term of 4 years. Most states have a state treasurer and legislation detailing the treasurer's...

Primaries are different from state to state, but the ending result is usually the same: People choose the candidate that best represents them and their party's interests. In the early twentieth...

The politicians we elect are public servants, meaning they are in office to serve us, the citizens of the United States of America. If you have a particular concern or a specific question that you...

Sales taxes are one of the largest sources of revenue for state governments. Retailers and other merchants collect the sales tax at the point of sale by adding it to the price of a consumer's...

Death and taxes are the only sure things in life, as the saying goes. In most U.S. states, people not only pay federal income taxes but also state income taxes. State income taxes vary in rates,...

The electoral college map constantly changes. Depending on the population of each state, there are varying numbers of votes. If you wonder where your state stands, you're not alone. Many people...

Registering to vote is not compulsory in the United States, so each citizen can decide for himself whether or not he wants to register to vote. Each state has its own cut-off dates for...

As United States citizens we are subjected to and governed by a huge body of law. Our laws evolve and get amended to reflect what happens to us as a nation. Laws are, to use a metaphor, a mirror...

America's mentally ill population has been disproportionately impacted by the problem of homelessness. Beginning in the 1960s, state and federal cutbacks for local mental health services forced...

Helping your state recognize gay marriage is not as easy as one thinks. There are proper steps to take to have the current amendment changed. A governor is needed for every step of the way. One...

Whether you’re running for local office or the Presidency of the United States, you can get on the ballot as an Independent. Directions for doing so vary from state to state, so the steps...

It's not uncommon for local planners in seats of power to undertake new local laws that rub residents the wrong way. Aside from the old adage "You can't please everyone," there's also the...

Primary debates during a presidential year help get information to voters about important issues and where each candidate stands. There are several ways to get tickets to these events, although...

State government has the greatest impact on Americans. The state establishes policies on transportation, education, health and human services, the environment and criminal justice. When issues are...

There are 50 state legislatures, or assemblies, governing the state laws of each respective state. These assemblies pass thousands of bills each session. It becomes easy for a citizen to get lost...

Many illustrious political careers have started in a state legislature. State legislatures or assemblies enact laws on a wide range of issues, including education, environment, transportation and...

We have all heard stories of government contractors being paid $5,000 for a hammer or $2,000 for a toilet seat. It is unlikely that you would uncover something like that, but it does not mean that...