Government

Mississippi is governed under its 1890 constitution, its fourth. The head of state is the governor, who is elected to a four-year term. Other state officials, elected to four-year terms, include the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, auditor, commissioner of insurance, and commissioner of agriculture and commerce. The Mississippi Legislature consists of a 52-member Senate and a 122-member House of Representatives. All state legislators serve four-year terms.

The judiciary is headed by the state Supreme Court of nine justices elected by the people. Other courts include chancery courts, circuit courts, county courts, and municipal courts.

Mississippi has 82 counties. The state is represented in Congress by two senators and four representatives.