Nevada

VII

Government

Nevada is governed under its original constitution adopted in 1864, as amended. An amendment to the constitution may be proposed by a constitutional convention, by the legislature, or by initiative. In the latter two cases, the amendment must be approved by a majority of the people voting on the issue in a general election in order to be ratified.

A

Executive

The executive branch is headed by the governor and lieutenant governor, who are elected for four-year terms, as are also the secretary of state, attorney general, controller, and treasurer. There are about 20 other elected officials.

B

Legislative

The legislature consists of an Assembly and a Senate. There are 21 senators, elected for four years, and 42 assembly members, elected for two years. Regular sessions of the legislature convene in January of odd-numbered years. The governor has the power to call the legislature into special session. The governor may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

C

Judicial

The judiciary is headed by a supreme court composed of a chief justice and four associate justices, who are elected for six years. In addition, there are district judges, elected for six-year terms, and a number of justices of the peace, also elected for four-year terms. There are municipal courts in some cities. All judges in Nevada are elected on a nonpartisan basis.

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D

Local Government

In Nevada the 16 counties are important instruments of local government. Each is administered by a small board of commissioners. Unincorporated cities and towns are governed by the county officials. Most of the state’s incorporated cities and towns have the mayor-council form of municipal government.