BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

I.  LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
    A. called General Assembly in NC

    B. all but 1 state have a bicameral legislature
        1. bicameral = 2 houses
        2. unicameral = 1 house

    C. Senate & House of Representatives
    D. Each state representative and senator represent an area known as a district

    E.   Reynolds v. Sims, 1964
        1.  The size of districts for state legislatures must be based on population, not geographical area
        2.  “1 person, 1 vote”

    F.  House of Representatives
         1.  2 year term
         2.  members vote for the leader = Speaker of the House

    G.  Senate
         1. 2 year term
         2. Lt. Governor is official president of state Senate

    J.  Sessions
        1.  Long session
            a. Odd years
            b. All legislative matters
        2.  Short session
            a. Even year (election year)
            b. Mainly budget matters

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