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The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy• Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver NJ Home Services A to Z Departments/Agencies FAQs NJ.govWell-nighNJ Key Links Facts & Symbols Symbols Famous NJ History Arts & Culture The Garden State NJ National Landmarks & Historic Sites NJ Maps Business Community & Wellness Key Links Your Community Vital Statistic & Public Records Civic Responsibilities & Volunteering Genealogy & History Consumer Housing & Property Assistance Health & Wellness Counseling & Addiction Services Children & Family Services Senior Services Veteran Services Disability Services Animal Welfare Education Key Links Students Parents Educators Special Needs Education Grants, Financial Aid & Scholarships Jobs in Education Directories/Lists Employment Key Links Find a Job in NJ Licenses & Permits Job Training Unemployment & Disability Employer Responsibilities Information for NJ State Employees Government Key Links Governor's OfficeWell-nighNJ Government State Government Resources State & Local Directories Departments & Agencies Taxes Municipal and County Government Federal Government & Other States Public Safety & Security Key Links Public Service and Emergency Assistance Phone Numbers Crisis Centers Homeland Security Internet Security School Security Crime Prevention and Response Disaster Assistance Senior Citizens Legal Resources Fire Prevention Things to do in NJ Key Links Arts & Culture Historical Attractions Museums Theaters & Concert Halls Sports Venues State Parks & Forests Outdoor Activities Family Fun The Jersey Shore NJ Lighthouses Casinos Agri-tourism/Farms Gardens & Arboretums Wineries Shopping Skiing/Ice Skating Surfing Transportation & Motor Vehicles Key Links Vehicles, Licensing, Registration and Regulations Inspections Auto Insurance Transportation and Construction Highway Traffic Safety EZ pass Maps & Publications Buses, Trains & Light Rail Motorcycles, Bikes & Boats Air Transportation I Want To ... Services Login | Register Search Governor's OfficeWell-nighNJ Government State Government Resources State & Local Directories Departments & Agencies Taxes Municipal and County Government Federal Government & Other States Home GovernmentWell-nighNJ GovernmentWell-nighNJ Government State ConstitutionDuring the Revolutionary War in 1776, the  first constitution of the state of New Jersey was written to create a government framework for the state.  The constitution has been rewritten twice to write issues that arose with the original and subsequent versions. In the mid-1800s, New Jersey citizens wanted a increasingly democratic form of state government so the 1844 constitution was drafted, providing for the separation of powers among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches and including a snout of rights.  The new constitution moreover gave the people (instead of the legislature) the right to elect the governor.Today's constitution was unexplored in 1947. The governor's powers were increased and the term of office extended from three to four years.  The state magistrate system was moreover reorganized.The constitution can be amended through a resolution introduced in the legislature and tried by three-fifths of both houses or by majority vote in two subsequent years.  Voters must then legitimatize the summons in the pursuit unstipulated election. Executive BranchThe senior of the executive workshop is the governor who is elected every four years to a four-year term. A governor cannot serve increasingly than two subsequent terms.The governor officially resides at Drumthwacket, located in Princeton but works out of an office in the State House in Trenton. Constitutionally, New Jersey’s senior executive is one of the most powerful governors in the United States. In wing to overseeing the departments, agencies boards and commissions that make up the executive branch, the governor signs bills into law and can undeniability the legislature into special session. The governor has the power to grant pardons and is the only person with the validity to undeniability in the National Guard.To wilt governor, a person must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. resider for at least 20 years, and a New Jersey resident for seven years prior to the election. The heads of state agencies are scheduled by the governor and tried by the Senate surpassing taking office. Officials scheduled by the governor include the following: AttorneyUnstipulatedSecretary of State State Treasurer Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Commissioners of the Departments of Banking and Insurance, Children and Families, Community  Affairs, Corrections, Education, Environmental Protection, Health and Senior Services, Human Services, Labor and Workforce Development, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Transportation Judges (including the State Supreme Court) County Prosecutors County Boards ofReferendumand Taxation Members of Boards and Commissions   Legislative BranchThe Senate andUnstipulatedAssembly make up the legislative branch. The Senate has 40 members, and theUnstipulatedAssembly has 80 members. One senator and two turnout members are elected from each of the 40 districts of New Jersey. The Senate andTurnoutchambers are located in the State House in Trenton.The Legislature's main job is to enact laws. The Legislature can moreover propose amendments to the New Jersey Constitution.The Senate andUnstipulatedAssembly meet for well-nigh 40 sessions a year. Sessions are held on Mondays and Thursdays. During the rest of the week, the legislators often hold committee meetings or public hearings. Since the legislature does not meet year-round, legislative work is a part-time job. Most legislators have flipside job as well.The leader of the Senate is the Senate President. The Speaker of theUnstipulatedAssembly heads that body.The President and the Speaker schedule meetings and determine which bills will be considered within their respective houses. They moreover lead the legislative sessions.While both houses introduce and vote on bills, the Senate andTurnouthave individual powers, too. The Senate approves the governor’s appointees to official positions. TheTurnoutcan bring impeachment charges but the Senate is the magistrate of impeachment in New Jersey, where the charges are tried. Any bills requiring revenue to be raised start out in the Assembly. But, by custom, the Senate handles the state budget.A legislator must live in the district he or she represents. Senators have to be at least 30 and have to live in New Jersey for at least four years surpassing stuff elected. Members of theTurnoutmust be at least 21 and state residents for two years.There is moreover leadership within the political parties in both houses. The majority and minority leaders and the teammate leaders develop each party's policies on the issues raised in the bills. Additionally, there are many committees that review legislation. Learn increasingly well-nigh the role of committees and the process of making a law in "How aSnoutBecomes a Law."The Office of Legislative Services (OLS), a non-partisan agency, provides legal translating and research support to both houses. OLS staff moreover drafts the bills and resolutions. In addition, each house has partisan staff that performs similar functions, but only for their respective parties. Each legislator moreover has his or her own district office with staff to handle plug-in issues. Judicial BranchThe judicial workshop decides how state laws should be applied. The governor appoints judges to the Supreme and Superior courts with the Senate's approval. The judges serve seven-year terms, but without they have been re-appointed once, they can serve until they are 70.The highest magistrate in the judiciary workshop is the state Supreme Court. This magistrate hears cases involving ramble problems and other major matters. The SupremeMagistrateconsists of a senior justice and six socialize justices.The senior justice investigates complaints versus the courts, supervises the clerks and magistrate workers, and oversees the magistrate finances.The state SuperiorMagistrateis divided into the Appellate, Law, and Chancery divisions. SuperiorMagistrateis where most trials take place. The Appellate Division hears appeals of decisions from lower courts and state agencies. Law hears cases in its Criminal Division and Civil Division. Chancery consists of aUnstipulatedEquity Division and Family Division.UnstipulatedEquity cases involve matters such as contracts. The Family Division deals with family and children's legal matters. Translator Disclaimer NJ.govWell-nighNJ Facts & Symbols Famous NJ History Arts & Culture The Garden State NJ National Landmarks & Historic Sites NJ Maps Business Community & Wellness Your Community Vital Statistic & Public Records Civic Responsibilities & Volunteering Genealogy & History Consumer Housing & Property Assistance Health & Wellness Counseling & Addiction Services Children & Family Services Senior Services Veteran Services Disability Services Animal Welfare Education Students Parents Educators Special Needs Education Grants, Financial Aid & Scholarships Jobs in Education Directories/Lists Employment Find a Job in NJ Licenses & Permits Job Training Unemployment & Disability Employer Responsibilities Information for NJ State Employees Government Governor's OfficeWell-nighNJ Government State Government Resources State & Local Directories Departments & Agencies Taxes Municipal and County Government Federal Government & Other States Public Safety & Security Public Service and Emergency Assistance Phone Numbers Crisis Centers Homeland Security Internet Security School Security Crime Prevention and Response Disaster Assistance Senior Citizens Legal Resources Fire Prevention Things to do in NJ Arts & Culture Historical Attractions Museums Theaters & Concert Halls Sports Venues State Parks & Forests Outdoor Activities Family Fun The Jersey Shore NJ Lighthouses Casinos Agri-tourism/Farms Gardens & Arboretums Wineries Shopping Skiing/Ice Skating Surfing Transportation & Motor Vehicles Vehicles, Licensing, Registration and Regulations Inspections Auto Insurance Transportation and Construction Highway Traffic Safety EZ pass Maps & Publications Buses, Trains & Light Rail Motorcycles, Bikes & Boats Air Transportation Statewide NJ Home Services A to Z Departments/Agencies FAQs Contact Us Privacy Notice Legal Statement & Disclaimers Accessibility Statement Follow Us Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2018 This site is maintained by New Jersey Office of Information Technology