Mississippi

Mississippi is a Southern state of the United States.

Law and government

After the Civil War, mistreatment of Southerners during Reconstruction by the federally-appointed Republican governors led to considerable resentment toward the Republican Party. As a result, Mississippi's state government had a very long unbroken record of single-party dominance. For 116 years, from 1876 to 1992 Mississippians only elected Democratic governors. For most of that time period, Democrats also held the majority of seats in the state legislature (which they still do) not to mention most other elected offices, including the state's federal representation (although some Republicans began to win Congressional elections in the 1970s).

Related Topics:
Civil War - Reconstruction - Republican Party - Democratic

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As with all other U.S. States and the federal government, Mississippi's government is based on the separation of legislative, executive and judicial power. Executive authority in the state rests with the Governor, currently Haley Barbour (Republican). The Lieutenant Governor, currently Amy Tuck (originally elected as a Democrat, she switched to the Republican Party in 2002), is elected on a separate ballot. Both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected to four-year terms of office. Unlike the federal government, but like many other U.S. States, most of the heads of major executive departments are elected by the citizens of Mississippi, rather than appointed by the governor.

Related Topics:
U.S. States - Separation of legislative, executive and judicial power - Governor - Haley Barbour - Republican - Lieutenant Governor - Democrat

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(See: List of Governors of Mississippi)

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(See: List of Lt. Governors of Mississippi)

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(See: List of State Treasurers of Mississippi)

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(See: Mississippi general election results, 2003)

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Legislative authority resides in the state legislature, composed of the Senate and House of Representatives. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate, while the House of Representatives selects their own Speaker. The state Constitution permits the legislature to establish by law the number of Senators and Representatives, up to a maximum of 52 Senators and 122 Representatives. Current state law sets the number of Senators at 52 and Representatives at 122. The term of office for Senators and Representatives is four years.

Related Topics:
Legislature - Senate - House of Representatives - Lieutenant Governor

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(See: List of state legislatures of the United States.)

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Supreme Judicial authority rests with the state Supreme Court, which has statewide authority. In addition, there is a statewide Court of Appeals, as well as Circuit Courts, Chancery Courts and Justice Courts, which have more limited geographical jurisdiction. The nine Judges of the Supreme Court are elected from three districts (three Judges per district) by the state's citizens in non-partisan elections to eight-year staggered terms. The ten Judges of the Court of Appeals are elected from five districts (two Judges per district) for eight-year staggered terms. Judges for the smaller courts are elected to four-year terms by the state's citizens who live within that court's jurisdiction.

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At the federal level, Mississippi's two U.S. senators are Trent Lott (Republican) and Thad Cochran (Republican). As of the 2001 reapportionment, the state has 4 congressmen in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Related Topics:
Trent Lott - Republican - Thad Cochran - As of the 2001 - Reapportionment - Congressmen - House of Representatives

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(See: List of United States Representatives from Mississippi)

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Mississippi has 82 counties. Citizens of Mississippi counties elect the five members of their county Board of Supervisors from single-member districts, as well as other county officials.

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(See: List of Mississippi counties)

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