Government of Maryland facts for kids
Maryland state logo .svg)
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| Polity type | Sub-national administrative division (federated state) |
|---|---|
| Part of | United States of America |
| Constitution | Constitution of Maryland |
| Legislative branch | |
| Name | General Assembly |
| Type | Bicameral |
| Meeting place | Maryland State House |
| Upper house | |
| Name | Senate |
| Presiding officer | Bill Ferguson, President |
| Lower house | |
| Name | House of Delegates |
| Presiding officer | Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Speaker |
| Executive branch | |
| Head of State and Government | |
| Title | Governor |
| Currently | Wes Moore |
| Appointer | Election |
| Cabinet | |
| Name | Maryland executive council |
| Leader | Governor |
| Deputy leader | Lieutenant Governor |
| Headquarters | State House |
| Judicial branch | |
| Name | Judiciary of Maryland |
| Chief Justice | Mary Ellen Barbera |
| Courts | Courts of Maryland |
| Supreme Court of Maryland | |
| Chief judge | Matthew J. Fader |
| Seat | Annapolis |
The government of Maryland works under the rules written down in the Maryland Constitution. The United States is an organized federation made up of fifty individual states. Because of this setup, the leadership of Maryland manages rules inside its own borders. Like other state governments, it has authority over local issues. Its power is only limited by the overarching Constitution of the United States.
Public power inside Maryland is divided among three branches of leadership. These branches are the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. This system helps make sure no single group has total control. Many of Maryland's counties enjoy special self-rule compared to counties in other states.
State leaders make most major choices in Annapolis, which is the official state capital. However, some government teams work out of offices located in the city of Baltimore. Most state elections take place in even-numbered years between national presidential votes. That calendar choice separates state issues from the federal choices made for the President of the United States.
Contents
How the Executive Branch Runs Maryland Every Day
The executive branch makes sure all laws passed in Maryland are followed properly. Five main officers lead this powerful team across the state. Maryland citizens choose four of these leaders by voting during regular statewide election contests. These elected officials are the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Comptroller. The fifth major officer is the Treasurer, who is selected by state lawmakers.
- Elected Executive Officials in Maryland
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Aruna Miller (D)
Lieutenant Governor -
Anthony G. Brown (D)
Attorney General -
Brooke Lierman (D)
Comptroller
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The Governor Leads the State Government
The top leader of the executive branch is the Governor. Voters choose the governor every four years using a standard plurality voting system. The person who wins the most votes takes the oath of office. A governor can serve up to two four-year terms in a row before a term limit applies. The governor works closely with a team of advisors known as the Executive Council, or cabinet.
The governor reviews every bill created by lawmakers and holds the power to veto them. A veto means the governor officially says no to a proposed law. The governor can also use a line item veto on budget bills. That power allows the governor to remove single spending items from a bill. Lawmakers can still pass the bill if three-fifths of both legislative houses vote to override the veto.
The governor also chooses leaders for key departments, commissions, and citizen advisory boards. Most of these executive appointments require approval from the state senate. If an elected position becomes empty, the governor can choose someone to fill it. This includes appointing a new attorney general or comptroller if needed. The governor also appoints people to become a certified notary public to verify important documents.
In times of danger, the governor can declare state emergencies to protect residents. The governor serves as the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. These forces include the United States National Guard units stationed inside Maryland. They also include the volunteer members serving in the organized Maryland Defense Force. If the national president calls the guard for federal duty, the state military answers to national commanders instead.
The Lieutenant Governor and Key State Officers
The Lieutenant Governor is second in line to run the state government. This leader is chosen on the same ballot ticket alongside the governor. Maryland's original Maryland Constitution of 1864 created this office, but leaders removed it in 1867. A constitutional amendment brought the office back in 1970 to assist the governor.
The lieutenant governor carries out official tasks handed down directly by the governor. If the governor leaves office early, the lieutenant governor takes over as governor. Lieutenant governors in some states, like Texas or California, hold different powers. In Maryland, the lieutenant governor focuses on leading special task forces, attending meetings, and representing the state.
The Attorney General serves as the chief legal officer for the whole state. Voters elect this leader every four years, and there are no term limits. Candidates must be qualified voters and have practiced law in Maryland for ten years. The attorney general advises the governor, state agencies, and the legislature on legal questions. The attorney general also represents Maryland in the United States Supreme Court and lower federal courts.
The Comptroller acts as Maryland's chief financial officer and top accountant. This office was created by the Maryland Constitution of 1851 to protect public money. The comptroller collects state tax payments, tracks public debt, and balances the state books. The office performs a regular audit on accounts and returns unclaimed property to citizens. The comptroller signs payment checks alongside the state treasurer.
The Treasurer manages the state's cash, investments, and bond sales. Instead of a public vote, the state legislature elects the treasurer by joint ballot. The treasurer gives clear updates to lawmakers about the financial health of Maryland's treasury. Together, the governor, comptroller, and treasurer make up the powerful Board of Public Works. This three-member board reviews major state contracts and decides how state assets get purchased or sold.
Important State Departments That Help Marylanders
Many dedicated state agencies carry out specific services for Maryland's communities:
- The Maryland Department of Agriculture keeps farm animals healthy and protects the safety of food.
- The Maryland State Department of Education supports public school systems, teachers, and students.
- The Maryland Department of the Environment protects clean air, healthy soil, and fresh drinking water.
- The Maryland Department of General Services cares for government properties, office buildings, and public contracts.
- The Maryland Department of Health handles public health programs and oversees medical centers.
- The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development works to provide safe, affordable neighborhood homes.
- The Maryland Department of Labor runs job training and oversees the Maryland Racing Commission.
- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources looks after state parks, waterways, forests, and wild animals.
- The Maryland Department of Transportation oversees roads, the Maryland State Highway Administration, and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
- The Maryland State Archives preserves important historical papers, maps, and government records.
- The Maryland Energy Administration helps people save electricity and supports renewable power programs.
How the Legislative Branch Makes State Laws
The legislative branch in Maryland is officially called the Maryland General Assembly. This group is bicameral, meaning it has two separate lawmaking chambers. The smaller house is the 47-member Maryland State Senate, and the larger is the 141-member Maryland House of Delegates. Lawmakers meet each winter inside the historic Maryland State House in Annapolis. They gather for a ninety-day working session to debate and vote on thousands of proposed bills.
Every ten years, officials study population counts using data collected by the U.S. census. State leaders redraw the map so that each district contains an equal number of residents. Voters in each legislative district elect one state senator and three delegates. Lawmakers serve four-year terms and can run for reelection as often as they wish. Both chambers create their own rules, pick leaders, and ensure their members follow conduct rules.
The Senate is led by the President, while the House is led by the Speaker. These leaders hold significant influence over how laws move through the legislature. They assign bills to committees, pick committee leaders, and maintain order during floor debates. When a member wants to raise a question during a debate, they call for a point of order. Lawmakers study every proposed bill carefully during committee hearings before holding final votes.
The Judicial Branch and Maryland's Court System
The judicial branch interprets the laws and makes sure trials remain fair for everyone. Maryland's court system includes four main levels, ranging from local district courts to the highest state court.
The Supreme Court of Maryland
The Supreme Court of Maryland is the highest court in the entire state. It serves as the ultimate court of last resort for state law questions. The court sets operational rules and ethical standards for all other Maryland courts. Most cases come here through an appeal, meaning someone asks the court to review a prior ruling. Only in rare legal situations does the court exercise original jurisdiction.
Before late 2022, this body was called the Maryland Court of Appeals. Voters approved a constitutional change to rename it the Supreme Court of Maryland. The court has seven justices, with one representing each of the state's appellate circuits.
- 1st Appellate Circuit: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.
- 2nd Appellate Circuit: Baltimore County and Harford County.
- 3rd Appellate Circuit: Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, and Washington counties.
- 4th Appellate Circuit: Prince George's County.
- 5th Appellate Circuit: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties.
- 6th Appellate Circuit: The city of Baltimore.
- 7th Appellate Circuit: Montgomery County.
The Appellate Court of Maryland
Maryland created the Appellate Court of Maryland in 1966 to help manage growing legal workloads. Before 2022, this intermediate court was officially called the Court of Special Appeals. This court has broad appellate jurisdiction to review trial decisions made by lower courts. Thirteen judges serve on this bench, including seven from the judicial circuits and six at-large judges.
Judges on this court usually work in panels of three to read arguments and make rulings. If a case is unusually important, all thirteen judges may hear it together en banc. The governor appoints these judges with the advice and consent of the state senate. After appointment, voters decide during general elections whether to keep each judge in office. This system shares ideas with the Missouri Plan used in several other states.
Maryland Circuit Courts
Maryland Circuit Courts handle major legal trials across the state. They have broad authority under common law and equity to resolve complex civil and criminal issues. These are courts of general jurisdiction, meaning they handle significant claims and serious disputes. They also review decisions appealed from minor administrative boards and the district courts.
A citizen who requests a formal jury trial will have their case heard here. Circuit courts are the only state courts in Maryland that seat juries of citizens. If a civil dispute involves more than $15,000, either side can ask for a jury. The state divides its counties into eight judicial circuits:
- 1st Judicial Circuit: Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.
- 2nd Judicial Circuit: Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot counties.
- 3rd Judicial Circuit: Baltimore County and Harford County.
- 4th Judicial Circuit: Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties.
- 5th Judicial Circuit: Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Howard counties.
- 6th Judicial Circuit: Frederick and Montgomery counties.
- 7th Judicial Circuit: Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, and St. Mary's counties.
- 8th Judicial Circuit: The city of Baltimore.
When a seat opens, the governor appoints a replacement to serve until the next election. Candidates then run in popular elections where local voters select judges for full fifteen-year terms.
The Maryland District Court System
The Maryland District Court handles smaller claims, civil issues, and traffic violations. Lawmakers created this unified court in 1970 to replace older justices of the peace and local town magistrates. It has branches across all parts of Maryland and handles cases without using juries.
The District Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over disagreements between a landlord and a renting tenant. It handles replevin claims when people ask for personal property to be returned. The court also resolves minor claims and shares concurrent jurisdiction with circuit courts on intermediate cases. When someone appeals a district court ruling, the circuit court can hear the dispute anew through a trial de novo.
District court judges are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate for ten-year terms. They do not face public election contests like circuit judges do. More than one hundred judges serve across twelve different geographic court districts. A chief judge leads the court system and coordinates schedules with the Supreme Court of Maryland.
How Local County Governments Serve Communities
Local government in Maryland is simple and organized compared to many other parts of America. The state does not use independent township systems or separate governmental school district borders. Instead, county governments run local public systems, including public schools and county roads. The independent city of Baltimore acts as a county-equivalent and provides county services directly. Across Maryland, there are three main styles of county administration.
Commissioner Counties
Under the commissioner system, voters elect a small board of commissioners to run the county. The state legislature keeps deep control over how these commissioner counties operate. County commissioners cannot pass local laws unless the General Assembly gives them permission first. Lawmakers from that county introduce local bills during each state legislative session. Six Maryland counties use this model:
Charter Counties
To let counties solve local issues quickly, voters can adopt a charter under home rule authority. A charter works like a mini-constitution designed especially for that individual county. Voters elect a county council to debate local rules, build budgets, and pass community laws. Some charter counties also elect a county executive to lead local government operations.
The General Assembly still handles election laws and rules for alcoholic beverages, but councils manage most other local policies. Eleven Maryland counties currently use a charter:
- Anne Arundel County
- Baltimore County
- Cecil County
- Dorchester County
- Frederick County
- Harford County
- Howard County
- Montgomery County
- Prince George's County
- Talbot County
- Wicomico County
- The city of Baltimore also runs its local government under a charter.
Code Home Rule Counties
Code home rule gives smaller counties local lawmaking freedom without needing a full charter. If commissioners vote to adopt this method and local citizens approve it, the county gains code status. Commissioners can then pass local ordinances on topics like building permits, sanitation, and parks. Six Maryland counties currently use this flexible setup:
Maryland's Place in the United States National Government
Maryland played an important part in creating the American nation. On April 28, 1788, it became the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution. Maryland sends two members to the United States Senate in Washington, D.C. The state's citizens also elect eight lawmakers to the United States House of Representatives.
Federal court cases inside the state start at the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. That court holds sessions in both Baltimore and Greenbelt. Appeals from those court cases travel to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia. Through this balanced structure, Marylanders participate in state leadership while helping guide the wider nation.
See also
- History of Maryland
- Maryland Constitution of 1776
- State government in the United States
- Political party strength in Maryland
- Impeachment in Maryland
