Government of New Jersey
The government of the State of New Jersey is separated into three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Because the position lacks distinct powers or purpose other than to exist solely as next in the order of succession, the state constitution requires that the lieutenant governor be appointed to serve as the head of a cabinet-level department or administrative agency within the Governor's administration.
For most of the state's (and previously the colony's) history, a vacancy in the position of governor was filled by the president of the State Senate (called the "Legislative Council" from 1776 to 1844), or during the colonial era by the president of the royal governor's Provincial Council.
A 2005 referendum to amend the constitution provided for the position of lieutenant governor to be created, to change the order of succession, and that the post would be filled in next gubernatorial election (2009).
Guadagno, previously the sheriff in Monmouth County, was chosen by Governor Chris Christie to be his running-mate on the Republican party ticket in the 2009 election.
The state constitution provides that the governor appoints the heads of up to 20 principal departments.
Districts are redefined decennially by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission following each U.S. Census, as provided by Article IV, Section III of the State Constitution.
Each district has one senator and two members of the New Jersey General Assembly, the lower house of the legislature.
[7] From 1844 until 1965 (when redistricting could be done following the Reynolds v. Sims decision), each county was an electoral district electing one senator.
The "2-4-4" cycle was put into place so that Senate elections can reflect the changes made to the district boundaries on the basis of the decennial United States Census.
Membership in the Assembly is considered a part-time job, and many members have employment in addition to their legislative work.
Assembly members serve two-year terms, elected every odd-numbered year in November.
The New Jersey Supreme Court was created and its role established by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1947.
If reappointed before the expiration of the initial term, the judge is said to have tenure and can serve until the mandatory judicial retirement age of 70.
They also hear appeals on decisions made by the Director of the Division of Taxation on such matters as state income, sales and business taxes, and homestead rebates.
Tax Court judges are appointed by the Governor for initial terms of seven years, and upon reappointment are granted tenure until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Title 40 of the New Jersey Statutes allows the state's municipalities to be incorporated under five types- city, town, township, borough, and village, with twelve management forms.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that New Jersey has 252 boroughs, 52 cities, 15 towns, 241 townships, and 4 villages.
[17] Several municipalities continue to operate under special charters that do not conform with the government formats prescribed by the current statutes.
New Jersey's municipalities range in population from towns with small single-digit or double-digit populations (as in Tavistock or Walpack Township) or cities in which several hundred thousand people reside, such as Newark, Paterson or Trenton.
New Jersey distinguishes between regional, consolidated and countywide school districts and those serving single municipalities.
The majority of school districts in New Jersey are established for general purposes and have boundaries equivalent to the municipality with which they are associated.
