Lawton Correctional Center is a privately managed prison for men located in Lawton , Comanche County, Oklahoma , operated by the GEO Group under contract with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections .
110-402: The facility was opened in 1998 and has a capacity of 2682 inmates held at a mix of medium and maximum security levels. 34°31′27″N 98°21′17″W / 34.524224°N 98.354701°W / 34.524224; -98.354701 This Government of Oklahoma -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Government of Oklahoma The government of
220-437: A general election , they may be held. In all states, the legislatures can remove state executive branch officials, including governors, who have committed serious abuses of their power from office. The process of doing so includes impeachment (the bringing of specific charges), and a trial , in which legislators act as a jury. The primary responsibilities of state legislatures are to enact state laws and appropriate money for
330-491: A republican government known as the Commonwealth of England . Virginia became a royal colony again in 1660, and the word was dropped from the full title; it went unused until reintroduced in 1776. In each state, the chief executive is called the governor, who serves as both head of state and head of government . All governors are chosen by statewide direct election . The governor may approve or veto bills passed by
440-577: A two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate, or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures. To become part of the Constitution, an amendment must be ratified by either—as determined by Congress—the legislatures of three-quarters of the states or state ratifying conventions in three-quarters of the states. The vote in each state (to either ratify or reject
550-756: A civil nature, and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals decides criminal matters. Unlike the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeal has mandatory review jurisdiction whenever a sentence from a lower court involved the death sentence . Court of Appeal justices is selected, confirmed, and ratified in the same manner as the justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The state created the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals because
660-471: A combined total of 12 years of service in the Oklahoma Legislature, regardless of house. The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the state legislature with its 48 seats divided equally among the state's 48 senatorial districts. The state senators serve a four-year staggered term, with half of the Senate up for reelection every even-numbered year. The presiding officer in the state senate
770-556: A district electing two representatives must have approximately twice the population of a district electing just one. The voting systems used across the nation are: first-past-the-post in single-member districts, and multiple non-transferable vote in multi-member districts. In 2013, there were a total of 7,383 legislators in the 50 state legislative bodies. They earned from $ 0 annually (New Mexico) to $ 90,526 (California). There were various per diem and mileage compensation. States can also organize their judicial systems differently from
880-521: A few states choose to have the judges on the state's courts serve for life terms. In most states, the judges, including the justices of the highest court in the state, are either elected or appointed for terms of a limited number of years and are usually eligible for re-election or reappointment. All states are unitary states , not federations or aggregates of local governments . Local governments within them are created by and exist by virtue of state law, and local governments within each state are subject to
990-595: A general regulatory power and undid the Framers' original structure of limited and delegated powers." Subsequently, Congress invoked the Commerce Clause to expand federal criminal legislation, as well as for social reforms such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . Only within the past couple of decades, through decisions in cases such as those in U.S. v. Lopez (1995) and U.S. v. Morrison (2000), has
1100-491: A majority in both houses and signed by the governor to be enacted into law. However, should the governor veto the bill, the legislature, by a two-thirds vote in both houses, may overturn the governor's veto, and the bill be enacted into law without the governor's signature. On appropriations bills , however, the governor has a line-item veto . Under the Oklahoma Constitution , members of both houses enjoy
1210-580: A man and a woman. The legislative branch is the branch of the Oklahoma state government that creates the laws of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Legislature , which makes up the legislative branch , consists of two chambers : the Senate and the House of Representatives . The state legislature has the power to levy and collect taxes, borrow money, and raise and maintain the militia of the state. The constitution grants
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#17327870539681320-523: A means to retain control of their lands. The proposed constitution ultimately failed in the U.S. Congress. Instead, the Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory were both incorporated into the new state of Oklahoma in 1907. The first instance occurred while the nation still operated under the Articles of Confederation. The State of Franklin existed for several years, not long after the end of
1430-466: A presumed felon and arrest by the law officers of one state in another state are often permitted by a state. The full faith and credit expectation does have exceptions, some legal arrangements, such as professional licensure and marriages, may be state-specific, and until recently states have not been found by the courts to be required to honor such arrangements from other states. Such legal acts are nevertheless often recognized state-to-state according to
1540-553: A proposed amendment) carries equal weight, regardless of a state's population or length of time in the Union. U.S. states are not sovereign in the Westphalian sense in international law which says that each State has sovereignty over its territory and domestic affairs, to the exclusion of all external powers, on the principle of non-interference in another State's domestic affairs, and that each State (no matter how large or small)
1650-497: A smaller upper house, in all states called the Senate. The exception is the unicameral Nebraska Legislature , meaning it has only a single chamber. Most states have a part-time legislature (traditionally called a citizen legislature ). Ten state legislatures are considered full-time ; these bodies are more similar to the U.S. Congress than are the others. Members of each state's legislature are chosen by direct election. In Baker v. Carr (1962) and Reynolds v. Sims (1964),
1760-472: A territory has. When the people of a territory make their desire for statehood known to the federal government, Congress may pass an enabling act authorizing the people of that territory to organize a constitutional convention to write a state constitution as a step toward admission to the Union. Each act details the mechanism by which the territory will be admitted as a state following ratification of their constitution and election of state officers. Although
1870-534: Is equal in international law. Additionally, the 50 U.S. states do not possess international legal sovereignty, meaning that they are not recognized by other sovereign States such as, for example, France, Germany or the United Kingdom. The federal government is responsible for international relations , but state and local government leaders do occasionally travel to other countries and form economic and cultural relationships. Article IV also grants to Congress
1980-835: Is granted the power to determine which court has jurisdiction, with no appeal from the court's determination. The Supreme Court is headquartered in the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and hears oral arguments each year. The Supreme Court supervises the lower courts through the Administrative Office of the Courts and also supervises Oklahoma's legal profession through the Oklahoma Bar Association . Lawyer admissions and disbarment are done through recommendations of
2090-400: Is required to move between states , except for persons restricted by certain types of court orders (such as paroled convicts and children of divorced spouses who share child custody ). State governments in the U.S. are allocated power by the people (of each respective state) through their individual state constitutions . All are grounded in republican principles (this being required by
2200-510: Is required to give full faith and credit to the acts of each other's legislatures and courts, which is generally held to include the recognition of most contracts and criminal judgments, and before 1865, slavery status. Under the Extradition Clause , a state must extradite people located there who have fled charges of "treason, felony, or other crimes" in another state if the other state so demands. The principle of hot pursuit of
2310-751: Is second-in-command of Oklahoma National Guard , under the governor, and serves as the chief military adviser to the governor and the head of the Military Department of Oklahoma as the Secretary of the Military. The judicial system of Oklahoma is the branch of the Oklahoma state government that interprets the state's laws and constitution. Headed by the Supreme Court , the judiciary consists of two courts of last resort, courts of general jurisdiction, and courts of limited jurisdiction. Also,
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#17327870539682420-475: Is the branch of the Oklahoma state government that executes the laws of Oklahoma. The branch, consisting of over 300 state agencies, boards, and commissions , is headed by the Governor of Oklahoma , who is assisted by eleven other statewide officials. The governor is both head of state and head of government for Oklahoma. Under the constitution, the governor is elected to serve a four-year term. Originally,
2530-528: Is the lieutenant governor in their role as President of the Senate. By tradition, the lieutenant governor presides in ceremonial occasions, leaving in charge the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate , who is third in line to succeed the governor in the event of his removal from office. The state senate is required to give their advice and consent to many executive branch appointments made by
2640-561: Is the nationwide legal drinking age of 21, enacted by each state, brought about by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act . Although some objected that this infringes on states' rights, the Supreme Court upheld the practice as a permissible use of the Constitution's Spending Clause in South Dakota v. Dole 483 U.S. 203 (1987). As prescribed by Article I of the Constitution, which establishes
2750-466: The 2010 census . Each state is entitled to a number of electors equal to the total number of representatives and senators from that state; the District of Columbia is entitled to three electors. While the Constitution does set parameters for the election of federal officials, state law, not federal, regulates most aspects of elections in the U.S., including primaries, the eligibility of voters (beyond
2860-736: The Constitution of Alabama , contained 310,296 words, which is more than 40 times as many as the U.S. Constitution . In practice, each state has adopted a three-branch frame of government: executive, legislative, and judicial (even though doing so has never been required). Early in American history, four state governments differentiated themselves from the others in their first constitutions by choosing to self-identify as Commonwealths rather than as states : Virginia , in 1776; Pennsylvania , in 1777; Massachusetts , in 1780; and Kentucky , in 1792. Consequently, while these four are states like
2970-608: The Constitution of the United States . In relation to the states, the U.S. Constitution elaborated concepts of federalism . Under U.S. constitutional law, the 50 individual states and the United States as a whole are each sovereign jurisdictions. The states are not administrative divisions of the country; the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution reserves to the states or to
3080-460: The District of Columbia indirectly elect the president and vice president . When casting ballots in presidential elections they are voting for presidential electors , who then, using procedures provided in the 12th amendment , elect the president and vice president. There were 538 electors for the most recent presidential election in 2020 ; the allocation of electoral votes was based on
3190-607: The Lee Resolution and signing the United States Declaration of Independence . Prior to these events each state had been a British colony ; each then joined the first Union of states between 1777 and 1781, upon ratifying the Articles of Confederation , the first U.S. constitution. Also during this period, the newly independent states developed their own individual state constitutions , among
3300-663: The Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate . It passes statutes, votes on the budget, and controls the action of the executive through oversight and the power of impeachment . The President pro tempore of the Senate presides over the state senate and the Speaker of the House presides over the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Both officers are in line to succeed to the governorship in
3410-580: The Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission , which selects three candidates to submit to the governor for a single selection to the office. The Oklahoma Supreme Court consists of chief justice, a vice-chief justice, and seven associate justices who are appointed by the governor from a list of three judges submitted by the Judicial Nomination Commission. Justices are put on the ballot during
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3520-589: The Oklahoma State Cabinet , which was created in 1986 under the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986 to "improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability of state government." Within 45 days of assuming office, the governor must organize the cabinet. State law requires only the creation of a secretary for the state department of veteran affairs and for the information technology department. Within those first 45 days,
3630-413: The U.S. State of Oklahoma , established by the Oklahoma Constitution , is a republican democracy modeled after the federal government of the United States . The state government has three branches: the executive , legislative , and judicial . Through a system of separation of powers or "checks and balances," each of these branches has some authority to act on its own, some authority to regulate
3740-557: The United States , a state is a constituent political entity , of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union , each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sovereignty with the federal government . Due to this shared sovereignty , Americans are citizens both of the federal republic and of the state in which they reside . State citizenship and residency are flexible, and no government approval
3850-636: The United States Constitution . States and their citizens are represented in the United States Congress , a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives . Each state is also entitled to select a number of electors (equal to the total number of representatives and senators from that state) to vote in the Electoral College , the body that directly elects the president of
3960-501: The federal judiciary , as long as they protect the federal constitutional right of their citizens to procedural due process . Most have a trial-level court, generally called a district court , superior court or circuit court , a first-level appellate court , generally called a court of appeal (or appeals), and a supreme court . Oklahoma and Texas have separate highest courts for criminal appeals. Uniquely, in New York State,
4070-412: The privilege of being free from arrest , except for treason , felony , and breach of the peace . This immunity applies to members during sessions and when traveling to and from sessions. The constitution also guarantees absolute freedom of debate in both houses, providing, "for any speech or debate in either House, shall not be questioned in any other place." Members of the legislature are limited to
4180-425: The 46th US State . The constitution contains a bill of rights in itself, but its preamble mentions the principles the government of Oklahoma is to uphold. The constitution's preamble states that the state government is to: ... secure and perpetuate the blessing of liberty; to secure just and rightful government; [and] to promote our mutual welfare and happiness ... Among these foundational principles protected by
4290-697: The American Revolution, but was never recognized by the Confederation Congress, which ultimately recognized North Carolina 's claim of sovereignty over the area. The territory comprising Franklin later became part of the Southwest Territory, and ultimately of the state of Tennessee. Additionally, the entry of several states into the Union was delayed due to distinctive complicating factors. Among them, Michigan Territory , which petitioned Congress for statehood in 1835,
4400-420: The Constitution has been amended, and the interpretation and application of its provisions have changed. The general tendency has been toward centralization and incorporation , with the federal government playing a much larger role than it once did. There is a continuing debate over states' rights , which concerns the extent and nature of the states' powers and sovereignty in relation to the federal government and
4510-409: The Constitution mandated admission of new states on the basis of equality. With the consent of Congress, states may enter into interstate compacts , agreements between two or more states. Compacts are frequently used to manage a shared resource, such as transportation infrastructure or water rights. Under Article IV of the Constitution , which outlines the relationship between the states, each state
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4620-634: The Constitution. A state, unlike the federal government, has un-enumerated police power , that is, the right to generally make all necessary laws for the welfare of its people. As a result, while the governments of the various states share many similar features, they often vary greatly with regard to form and substance. No two state governments are identical. The government of each state is structured in accordance with its individual constitution, all of which are written constitutions. Many of these documents are more detailed and more elaborated than their federal counterpart. For example, before its revision in 2022,
4730-577: The Court tried to limit the Commerce Clause power of Congress. Another enumerated congressional power is its taxing and spending power . An example of this is the system of federal aid for highways, which include the Interstate Highway System . The system is mandated and largely funded by the federal government and serves the interests of the states. By threatening to withhold federal highway funds, Congress has been able to pressure state legislatures to pass various laws. An example
4840-505: The House—presently 435 voting members—is set by federal statute . Seats in the House are distributed among the states in proportion to the most recent constitutionally mandated decennial census . The borders of these districts are established by the states individually through a process called redistricting , and within each state all districts are required to have approximately equal populations. Citizens in each state plus those in
4950-579: The Oklahoma Supreme Court had neither the time nor resources to hear every case brought before it. When a case is brought before the state supreme court, the justices can choose to send the case to one of the four divisions of the Court of Civil Appeals, two located in Tulsa and two in Oklahoma City. Each division of the court has three judges, appointed for life, but must stand for election every six years to retain their positions. US State In
5060-473: The Oklahoma bill of rights are: political power derives from the consent of the people; the people have the inherent rights to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry; the right to peaceful assembly; a ban on the interference with suffrage; the definition of treason; the right to trial by jury; and that marriage in the State of Oklahoma is defined as being between
5170-406: The Oklahoma judiciary contains two independent courts. The split court of last resort system (with the Oklahoma Supreme Court handling civil matters and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals handling criminal matters) exists only in Oklahoma and neighboring Texas . Judges and justices requiring appointment are appointed by the governor. Candidates must first go through a nominating process through
5280-561: The Supreme Court in U.S. v. Darby upheld the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 , holding that Congress had the power under the Commerce Clause to regulate employment conditions. Then, one year later, in Wickard v. Filburn , the Court expanded federal power to regulate the economy by holding that federal authority under the commerce clause extends to activities which may appear to be local in nature but in reality effect
5390-605: The U.S. Congress, each state is represented in the Senate (irrespective of population size) by two senators, and each is guaranteed at least one representative in the House. Both senators and representatives are chosen in direct popular elections in the various states. (Prior to 1913, senators were elected by state legislatures.) There are presently 100 senators, who are elected at-large to staggered terms of six years, with one-third of them being chosen every two years. Representatives are elected at large or from single-member districts to terms of two years (not staggered). The size of
5500-515: The U.S. Supreme Court held that all states are required to elect their legislatures in such a way as to afford each citizen the same degree of representation (the one person, one vote standard). In practice, most states elect legislators from single-member districts , each of which has approximately the same population. Some states, such as Maryland and Vermont, divide the state into single- and multi-member districts. In this case, multi-member districts must have proportionately larger populations, e.g.,
5610-650: The United States . Additionally, each state has the opportunity to ratify constitutional amendments , and, with the consent of Congress, two or more states may enter into interstate compacts with one another. The police power of each state is also recognized. Historically, the tasks of local law enforcement , public education , public health , intrastate commerce regulation, and local transportation and infrastructure , in addition to local, state, and federal elections , have generally been considered primarily state responsibilities, although all of these now have significant federal funding and regulation as well. Over time,
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#17327870539685720-607: The United States Congress. Puerto Rico has limited representation in the U.S. House of Representatives in the form of a Resident Commissioner , a delegate with limited voting rights in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union , but no voting rights otherwise. A non-binding referendum on statehood, independence, or a new option for an associated territory (different from the current status)
5830-437: The United States, the United States federal government, and foreign nations. The governor must sign bills passed by the state legislature in order for those bills to become law. Should the governor veto a bill, the state legislature may override the veto with a two-thirds vote. In certain emergencies, the governor may assume special, comprehensive powers. These powers involve greater police power and near-absolute control over
5940-505: The activities of judges, except those of the Supreme Court. The Court of Impeachment monitors the activities of all statewide elected officials, including the justices of the Supreme Court. A popular referendum approved the constitution of the Oklahoma on September 17, 1907, which came into effect upon Oklahoma's ratification of the United States Constitution on November 16, 1907. The ratification of both documents marked Oklahoma as
6050-443: The administration of public policy. In all states, if the governor vetoes a bill (or a portion of one), it can still become law if the legislature overrides the veto (repasses the bill), which in most states requires a two-thirds vote in each chamber. In 49 of the 50 states the legislature consists of two chambers: a lower house (variously called the House of Representatives, State Assembly, General Assembly or House of Delegates) and
6160-447: The approval of the Oklahoma Senate , the cabinet. Each secretary advises the governor on policy changes or problems within the agencies under their supervision, represent the governor in administering their area of supervision, and coordinate information gathering for the governor or state legislature. The secretaries are not authorized to act without authorization by the governor through executive order . The secretaries together make up
6270-404: The association, which are then routinely ratified by the state supreme court. The association has approximately 11,000 active attorneys in Oklahoma and a total membership of more than 15,000. Five of the nine justices are required to affirm, modify, or overturn any ruling of any lower court. Once the court has reached a decision, one justice is selected to write the court's opinion. Once published,
6380-402: The authority to admit new states into the Union. Since the establishment of the United States in 1776, the number of states has expanded from the original 13 to 50. Each new state has been admitted on an equal footing with the existing states. Article IV also forbids the creation of new states from parts of existing states without the consent of both the affected states and Congress. This caveat
6490-442: The basic constitutional definition), the running of each state's electoral college, as well as the running of state and local elections. All elections—federal, state, and local—are administered by the individual states, and some voting rules and procedures may differ among them. Article V of the Constitution accords states a key role in the process of amending the U.S. Constitution. Amendments may be proposed either by Congress with
6600-450: The central authority of that particular state. State governments commonly delegate some authority to local units and channel policy decisions down to them for implementation. In a few states, local units of government are permitted a degree of home rule over various matters. The prevailing legal theory of state preeminence over local governments, referred to as Dillon's Rule , holds that, A municipal corporation possesses and can exercise
6710-464: The common practice of comity . States are prohibited from discriminating against citizens of other states with respect to their basic rights , under the Privileges and Immunities Clause . Under Article IV, each state is guaranteed a form of government that is grounded in republican principles, such as the consent of the governed . This guarantee has long been at the forefront of the debate about
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#17327870539686820-435: The control of the governor. The general rule is that, while independent of the governor, the other statewide executive officers are at the disposal of the governor as he is the chief executive. This is enforced through statutory restriction on the independent offices' authority to act without the governor's approval and the ability of the governor to force the independent offices to act according to his will. The greatest power of
6930-486: The democratic will of the United States citizens residing in Puerto Rico as expressed in the plebiscites held on November 6, 2012, and June 11, 2017, by setting forth the terms for the admission of the territory of Puerto Rico as a state of the Union. The act has 37 original cosponsors between Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. On November 3, 2020, Puerto Rico held another referendum . In
7040-435: The earliest written constitutions in the world. Although different in detail, these state constitutions shared features that would be important in the American constitutional order: they were republican in form, and separated power among three branches, most had bicameral legislatures, and contained statements, or a bill, of rights. Later, from 1787 to 1790, each of the states also ratified a new federal frame of government in
7150-413: The early 20th century, the Supreme Court's interpretation of this " Commerce Clause " has, over time, greatly expanded the scope of federal power , at the expense of powers formerly considered purely states' matters. The Cambridge Economic History of the United States says, "On the whole, especially after the mid-1880s, the Court construed the Commerce Clause in favor of increased federal power." In 1941,
7260-400: The entire national economy and are therefore of national concern. For example, Congress can regulate railway traffic across state lines, but it may also regulate rail traffic solely within a state, based on the reality that intrastate traffic still affects interstate commerce. Through such decisions, argues law professor David F. Forte, "the Court turned the commerce power into the equivalent of
7370-579: The event of a vacancy, behind the lieutenant governor. The independent judiciary is based on the common law system which evolved from use in the British Empire . It is divided into the two courts of last resort , one (the Supreme Court ) dealing with civil law and the other (the Court of Criminal Appeals ) dealing with criminal law . The Court on the Judiciary is responsible for monitoring
7480-518: The existence of the powers. Each state defines for itself what powers it will allow local governments. Generally, four categories of power may be given to local jurisdictions: Each state admitted to the Union by Congress since 1789 has entered it on an equal footing with the original states in all respects. With the growth of states' rights advocacy during the antebellum period , the Supreme Court asserted, in Lessee of Pollard v. Hagan (1845), that
7590-505: The federal constitution), and each provides for a government, consisting of three branches, each with separate and independent powers : executive , legislative , and judicial . States are divided into counties or county-equivalents, which may be assigned some local governmental authority but are not sovereign. County or county-equivalent structure varies widely by state, and states also create other local governments . States, unlike U.S. territories , possess many powers and rights under
7700-407: The federal government, or part of one, before being admitted to the Union. Three were set off from an already existing state, two entered the Union after having been sovereign states , and one was established from unorganized territory : Congress is under no obligation to admit states, even in those areas whose population expresses a desire for statehood. Such has been the case numerous times during
7810-406: The following powers and no others: First, those granted in express words; second, those necessarily implied or necessarily incident to the powers expressly granted; third, those absolutely essential to the declared objects and purposes of the corporation—not simply convenient but indispensable; fourth, any fair doubt as to the existence of power is resolved by the courts against the corporation—against
7920-602: The governor after the lieutenant governor and president pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate. Bills for raising revenue may only originate in the House of Representatives through the state senate may alter and amend them as the body sees fit. In the 58th Legislature , the Republicans control both houses with an 81-20 majority in the House and a 40-8 majority in the Senate. The Oklahoma House of Representatives The Oklahoma Senate The Oklahoma House of Representatives The Oklahoma Senate The executive branch
8030-419: The governor and lieutenant governor are of the same political party, the governor often uses the lieutenant governor as a chief adviser or appointee. However, when they are of two different political parties, the lieutenant governor's influence is minimal. Oklahoma also has nine other independent executive offices that do not owe loyalty to the governor as they are elected statewide and exercise authority outside
8140-608: The governor may create other secretary positions. The governor must create at least 10 positions, but no more than 16. The Secretary of State of Oklahoma and the Adjutant General of Oklahoma are the only ex officio members of the Oklahoma State Cabinet. The Secretary of State does not head a department as the other secretaries do, but the Office of the Secretary of State instead. The Adjutant General
8250-408: The governor over the independent executive offices is the governor's ability to determine each office's annual budget. These executive officers have some specialized regulatory power, some executive power, and some quasi-judicial power. The governor and state legislature often consult them on matters before enacting new laws. The independent executive offices are as follows: With the exception of
8360-403: The governor was term-limited to only one term in office at a time but this has since been modified to allow up to two consecutive terms. The governor presides over the executive branch, commands the militia of the state, and makes sure that the laws of the state are enforced and that the peace is preserved. The governor is the state's chief representative and spokesperson to the other states within
8470-514: The governor's duties. In order to be elected governor, any gubernatorial candidate is required to obtain a statewide plurality of votes cast in their election. Given the dominance of the two-party system , in Oklahoma (between the Democrats and the Republicans ), the plurality is often a majority as well. However, in case the event that two or more candidates have an equal number of votes,
8580-493: The governor. However, in normal times, the governor may not enact legislation or directly control the county and local agencies. The governor may issue executive orders (when empowered to do so by a specific provision of the Oklahoma Constitution or an act of the legislature) which are binding throughout the state. Such executive orders do not have the force of law and may only be issued when related directly to
8690-408: The governor. The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the state legislature with its 101 seats divided equally among the state's 101 house districts. Each member serves for a two-year term with the entire House up for reelection every even-numbered year. The presiding officer in the chamber is the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives , who is fourth in line to succeed
8800-720: The independent constitutional executive offices, the executive branch is organized into agencies that are grouped together under cabinet positions to reduce the number of people who report directly to the governor. For example, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority are organized under the state transportation secretary. The cabinet officers hold the title of "secretary". Agency heads are called "directors" or "commissioners". A cabinet secretary may serve concurrently as an agency director. The governor appoints, with
8910-417: The judiciary and agencies, commissions, and boards exercising power under the constitution. The court has appellate jurisdiction co-extensive with that of the state's borders on cases "at law and in equity" except criminal cases, in which the Court of Criminal Appeals has exclusive appellate jurisdiction. If in any event there is any conflict in determining which court has jurisdiction, the state supreme court
9020-432: The members of most state commissioners and boards. However, these appointments do require Senate approval. Some appointments serve at the pleasure of the governor while others serve fixed terms. The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest official in the Oklahoma government and the first in line to succeed the governor in the event of a vacancy. Though both the governor and lieutenant governor are elected in
9130-607: The nation's history. In one instance, Mormon pioneers in Salt Lake City sought to establish the state of Deseret in 1849. It existed for slightly over two years and was never approved by the United States Congress . In another, leaders of the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole) in Indian Territory proposed to establish the state of Sequoyah in 1905, as
9240-494: The next general election for the electorate to retain that justice or not. Justices serve six years terms and then are put up for another retention election . Justices serve until they resign, fail to be retained in office, are removed from office by the Court on the Judiciary , or are impeached by the legislative branch. The Supreme Court's decisions are binding on lower state courts. The court has original jurisdiction and general superintendent control over inferior courts in
9350-530: The opinion becomes the controlling factor in the state's law surrounding the issue(s) it addresses. This is known as stare decisis . The justices select from among their members a chief justice and vice chief justice to serve a two-year term. The Chief Justice of Oklahoma is responsible for the administration of the courts in the Oklahoma Judiciary and establishes rules for the courts to follow. The chief justice also oversees practicing attorneys in
9460-520: The other states, each is formally a commonwealth because the term is contained in its constitution. The term, commonwealth , which refers to a state in which the supreme power is vested in the people , was first used in Virginia during the Interregnum , the 1649–60 period between the reigns of Charles I and Charles II during which parliament's Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector established
9570-490: The other two branches, and has some of its own authority, in turn, regulated by the other branches. The state government is based in Oklahoma City and the head of the executive branch is the Governor of Oklahoma . The legislative branch is called the Legislature and consists of the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives . The Oklahoma Supreme Court and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals are
9680-482: The people all powers of government not delegated to the federal government. Consequently, each of the 50 states reserves the right to organize its individual government in any way (within the broad parameters set by the U.S. Constitution and the Republican Guarantee enforced by Congress) deemed appropriate by its people, and to exercise all powers of government not delegated to the federal government by
9790-525: The people independently of the governor—such as the lieutenant governor , attorney general , comptroller , secretary of state , and others. Elections of officials in the United States are generally for a fixed term of office. The constitutions of 19 states allow for citizens to remove and replace an elected public official before the end of their term of office through a recall election . Each state follows its own procedures for recall elections, and sets its own restrictions on how often, and how soon after
9900-733: The power to secede from the Union, shortly after the Civil War (1861–1865), the U.S. Supreme Court , in Texas v. White , held that a state cannot unilaterally do so. The 50 U.S. states, in alphabetical order, along with each state's flag: The 13 original states came into existence in July 1776 during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), as the successors of the Thirteen Colonies , upon agreeing to
10010-432: The process to admit Puerto Rico as a state. Another status referendum was held on June 11, 2017, in which 97% percent of voters chose statehood. Turnout was low, as only 23% of voters went to the polls, with advocates of both continued territorial status and independence urging voters to boycott it. On June 27, 2018, the H.R. 6246 Act was introduced on the U.S. House with the purpose of responding to, and comply with,
10120-487: The rights of citizens vis-à-vis the government. States are also guaranteed protection from invasion, and, upon the application of the state legislature (or executive, if the legislature cannot be convened), from domestic violence. This provision was discussed during the 1967 Detroit riot but was not invoked. The Supremacy Clause ( Article VI, Clause 2 ) establishes that the Constitution , federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, constitute
10230-425: The rights of individuals. The Constitution grants to Congress the authority to admit new states into the Union. Since the establishment of the United States in 1776 by the Thirteen Colonies , the number of states has expanded from the original 13 to 50. Each new state has been admitted on an equal footing with the existing states. While the Constitution does not explicitly discuss the issue of whether states have
10340-415: The same year, the two are not running mates . In the absence or incapacity of the governor, the lieutenant governor assumes the powers and duties of the office of governor. The lieutenant governor's main role is that of the president of the Oklahoma Senate , a position of limited de jure influence. The lieutenant governor's de facto power is based primarily upon the individual holding the office. When
10450-430: The state legislature the authority to legislate on "rightful subjects" of legislation. The Oklahoma Legislature meets for four months in regular session each year from February to May. However, under special circumstances, the governor or two-thirds of the state legislature's membership can call special sessions. The governor has a strong influence in shaping the agenda of the legislature. Legislation must be approved by
10560-415: The state legislature, as well as recommend and work for the passage of bills, usually supported by their political party. In 44 states, governors have line item veto power. Most states have a plural executive , meaning that the governor is not the only government official in the state responsible for its executive branch . In these states, executive power is distributed amongst other officials, elected by
10670-431: The state legislature, by joint ballot, elects one of those candidates governor. The constitution names the governor the state's chief magistrate and vested in him the supreme executive power. As a consequence, the governor is the preeminent figure in Oklahoma politics . The governor makes appointments when a vacancy exists in the executive branch. The governor appoints the heads of state departments and agencies as well as
10780-435: The state's highest courts. The state government of Oklahoma is divided into an executive , a legislative and a judicial branch . The governor , the state's chief executive, has a degree of direct executive power but must share executive power with other statewide elected officers. The lieutenant governor serves as the first-in-line successor to the governorship should a vacancy occur. The state legislature comprises
10890-409: The state, county, and local agencies and resources. During emergencies, the governor is also allowed a limited-form of rule by decree . State, county, and local officers and personnel become subject to the governor during the emergency and must obey the governor's directions. With the exception of the members of the state legislature, any official who fails to obey any order may be removed from office by
11000-584: The state. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals consists of a presiding judge and four judges who are appointed by the governor from a list of three judges submitted by the Judicial Nomination Commission. Justices are also ratified by the electorate at the next general election following their appointment and at the end of each six-year term. Justices serve until they resign or fail to be retained in office. The Supreme Court's decisions are binding on lower state courts. Unlike most states, Oklahoma has two courts of last resort. The Supreme Court determines issues of
11110-493: The states admitted to the Union after the original 13 were formed from an organized territory established and governed by Congress in accord with its plenary power under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 . The outline for this process was established by the Northwest Ordinance (1787), which predates the ratification of the Constitution. In some cases, an entire territory has become a state; in others some part of
11220-524: The states. The Tenth Amendment reserves all other powers to the states, or to the people. Powers of the U.S. Congress are enumerated in Article I, Section 8 , for example, the power to declare war. Making treaties is one power forbidden to the states, being listed among other such powers in Article I, Section 10 . Among the Article I enumerated powers of Congress is the power to regulate commerce. Since
11330-414: The supreme law of the land. It provides that state courts are bound by the supreme law; in case of conflict between federal and state law, the federal law must be applied. Even state constitutions are subordinate to federal law. States' rights are understood mainly with reference to the Tenth Amendment . The Constitution delegates some powers to the national government, and it forbids some powers to
11440-467: The total number of judges across all state courts is about 30,000—for comparison, 1 million new cases are filed each year in federal courts, which have about 1,700 judges. Most states base their legal system on English common law (with substantial statutory changes and incorporation of certain civil law innovations), with the notable exception of Louisiana, a former French colony , which draws large parts of its legal system from French civil law . Only
11550-566: The trial court is called the Supreme Court ; appeals go up first to the Supreme Court's Appellate Division , and from there to its highest court, the New York Court of Appeals . State court systems exercise broad, plenary, and general jurisdiction, in contrast to the federal courts, which are courts of limited jurisdiction. The overwhelming majority of criminal and civil cases in the United States are heard in state courts. Each year, roughly 30 million new cases are filed in state courts and
11660-436: The use of an enabling act is a traditional historic practice, a number of territories have drafted constitutions for submission to Congress absent an enabling act and were subsequently admitted. Upon acceptance of that constitution and meeting any additional congressional stipulations, Congress has always admitted that territory as a state. In addition to the original 13, six subsequent states were never an organized territory of
11770-530: Was also delayed over slavery and was settled when it agreed to adopt a gradual abolition plan. Puerto Rico , an unincorporated U.S. territory , refers to itself as the " Commonwealth of Puerto Rico" in the English version of its constitution , and as "Estado Libre Asociado" (literally, Associated Free State) in the Spanish version. As with all U.S. territories, its residents do not have full representation in
11880-425: Was designed to give Eastern states that still had Western land claims (including Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia), to have a veto over whether their western counties could become states, and has served this same function since, whenever a proposal to partition an existing state or states in order that a region within might either join another state or to create a new state has come before Congress. Most of
11990-583: Was held on November 6, 2012. Sixty one percent (61%) of voters chose the statehood option, while one third of the ballots were submitted blank. On December 11, 2012, the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico enacted a concurrent resolution requesting the President and the Congress of the United States to respond to the referendum of the people of Puerto Rico, held on November 6, 2012, to end its current form of territorial status and to begin
12100-481: Was not admitted to the Union until 1837, due to a boundary dispute with the adjoining state of Ohio. The Republic of Texas requested annexation to the United States in 1837, but fears about potential conflict with Mexico delayed the admission of Texas for nine years. Statehood for Kansas Territory was held up for several years (1854–61) due to a series of internal violent conflicts involving anti-slavery and pro-slavery factions. West Virginia's bid for statehood
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