Government

New Jersey is governed under its 1947 constitution, the third in its history. The legislature consists of a senate of 40 members, elected to four-year terms, and a lower house, the General Assembly, of 80 members, elected for two-year terms. The legislature meets in January of each year. The governor is elected for four years and may serve any number of terms, but not more than two in succession. He is the only state official elected by popular vote. There is no lieutenant governor; if the governorship becomes vacant the president of the Senate succeeds to the office. But in the 2009 election, candidates for governor will choose a lieutenant governor and campaign as a team. The winners will take office in 2010. With the Senate's consent, the governor appoints the secretary of state, attorney general, and heads of the other administrative departments.

The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, Superior Court, and lower courts of limited jurisdiction. The Supreme Court has seven justices. The Superior Court is divided into appellate, law, and chancery divisions. The governor appoints the judges of these courts with the consent of the Senate. Some municipalities operate their own courts with judges appointed by the local governing body.

New Jersey has 21 counties. Other local governmental units are cities, towns, boroughs, villages, and townships. The state is represented in the national Congress by 2 senators and 13 representatives.