Government

Arizona's constitution was ratified in 1911 and was modified in 1912 when statehood was achieved. It has since been amended numerous times. The constitution grants the people direct political power by providing for initiative, referendum, and recall. These provisions give the people the power to introduce legislation, to authorize a popular vote on important legislative questions, and to remove public officials by popular vote.

Elected officials include the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction, all elected for four years. There is no lieutenant governor. The legislature meets annually. It consists of the Senate, which has 30 members, and the 60-member House of Representatives. Members are elected for two-year terms.

The judiciary consists of a supreme court of five justices, an appellate court, and several lower courts.

There are 15 counties in the state. Arizona sends two senators and eight representatives to the U.S. Congress.