Government

South Carolina is governed under its seventh constitution, adopted in 1895 and frequently amended.

The governor is elected for a four-year term. The executive department also includes the lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller general, treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, adjutant general, and superintendent of education, all elected for four-year terms.

The state legislature, called the General Assembly, meets annually. It consists of a Senate of 46 members elected for four-year terms and a House of Representatives of 124 members elected for two-year terms. The judicial branch of the government consists of a supreme court, court of appeals, circuit court, and lower courts. The judges of all state courts are elected by the legislature. Magistrates are appointed by the governor.

There are 46 counties in the state. South Carolina sends two senators and six representatives to the U.S. Congress.