Three levels of government
The United States has three main levels of government. Each one looks after different jobs, and together they serve the people. This sharing of power is called federalism, and it is set out in the Constitution, the highest law of the land.
| Level | Leader | Where it meets | Examples of jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local | mayor, city council, county commissioners | city hall, county courthouse | police, fire, parks, garbage, libraries |
| State | governor and state legislature | state capitol | schools, highways, driver’s licences |
| Federal | president and Congress | Washington, D.C. | military, money, mail, foreign relations |
Local government
Local government is closest to you. It includes:
- cities and towns, often led by a mayor and city council
- counties: a county is a division of a state with its own government. (In Louisiana they’re called parishes, and in Alaska, boroughs.)
- school districts, led by an elected school board
- special districts for things like water or parks
Local governments take care of:
- police and fire departments
- parks and recreation
- garbage and recycling
- local roads and street lights
- libraries
- water and sewers
State government
There are 50 states, and each has its own state government and constitution. Each state is led by a governor and has a legislature that makes state laws. Every state except Nebraska has a two-part legislature, much like Congress.
State governments take care of:
- public schools (with local school districts)
- state highways
- driver’s licences and car registration
- state parks
- many criminal and family laws
- running elections
Because states make many of their own laws, rules can be different from state to state, like the age you can get a driver’s licence.
Federal government
The federal government is the national government, based in Washington, D.C. It has three branches:
- Legislative: Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives) makes laws.
- Executive: the president carries out laws and leads the military.
- Judicial: the Supreme Court and other federal courts explain laws.
The federal government takes care of:
- the military and national defence
- printing money
- the postal service
- relations with other countries
- immigration and citizenship
- national parks
- trade between states and with other countries
Tribal governments
Native American tribes are sovereign nations with their own governments. Tribal governments make laws, run courts and provide services for their communities, and they work with federal, state and local governments.
Working together
Sometimes all three levels help with one project. Building a new highway might use federal money, state planning and local permits. After a big storm, local firefighters, state emergency teams and federal disaster aid may all help.
Choosing leaders
Adult citizens vote in elections at every level. Voters choose mayors and council members, governors and state lawmakers, and the president and members of Congress.
Try it yourself
- Find the name of your mayor, your governor and your two senators.
- Sort these jobs by level: national parks, school buses, street lights, the army, driver’s licences, mail.
- Find your state capital on a map.
- Write a letter to a local leader about a problem in your community.
Quick recap
- The United States has local, state and federal levels of government.
- Local governments handle parks, police, fire and garbage.
- State governments, led by governors, handle schools, highways and licences.
- The federal government handles defence, money, mail and foreign relations.
- Tribal governments serve Native American nations.