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How our government works

By Nancy Owen
Iowa.com

First the history lesson: Iowa was the 29th state admitted into the union on Dec. 28, 1846. At that time, Iowa City was the state capital. Eleven years later – in 1857 – a new state constitution was drafted and Des Moines became the capital.

Like the federal government, Iowa government has three distinct branches: the judicial, executive, and legislative.

The seven members of the appellate Iowa Supreme Court are appointed by the Governor. They elect their own chief justice. Initially, justices serve one-year appointments, followed by a judicial retention election.

The bicameral Iowa General Assembly includes 100 representatives and 50 senators, elected for two- and four-year terms, respectively. For many years, Republicans dominated state politics. However, by the 1950s, a rigorous two-party system was born. In fact, until 2006, Iowa’s state legislature was one of the most evenly balanced in the United States.

Voters choose the governor and lieutenant governor “as if these two offices were one and the same,” according to the state constitution. In addition, a state secretary of state, state auditor, secretary of agriculture and state treasurer are all elected to four-year terms. The Governor appoints citizens to serve on more than 160 state boards and commissions.

With 99 counties, there is considerable local authority in Iowa. Those elected as county auditor, sheriff, recorder, treasurer, and county attorney report to the local board of supervisors.

GOVERNMENT IN ACTION – Covering Iowa Politics (blog)

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