Michigan is governed as a republic

Republic

A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...

, with three branches of government

Separation of powers

The separation of powers, often imprecisely used interchangeably with the trias politica principle, is a model for the governance of a state. The model was first developed in ancient Greece and came into widespread use by the Roman Republic as part of the unmodified Constitution of the Roman Republic...

: the executive branch consisting of the Governor of Michigan

Governor of Michigan

The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...

 and the other independently elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the House of Representatives

Michigan State House of Representatives

The Michigan House of Representatives is the lower house of the Michigan Legislature. There are 110 members, each of whom is elected from constituencies having approximately 77,000 to 91,000 residents, based on population figures from the 2000 federal U.S. Census.Members are elected in...

 and Senate

Michigan Senate

The Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. The Senate consists of 38 members, who are elected from constituencies having approximately 212,400 to 263,500 residents....

; and the judicial branch consisting of the one court of justice

Michigan Court System

The Michigan Court System consists of two courts with primary jurisdiction, one intermediate level appellate court, and a supreme court. There are several administrative courts and specialized courts....

. The state also allows direct participation of the electorate by initiative

Initiative

In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote...

, referendum

Referendum

A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...

, recall

Recall election

A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...

, and ratification

Ratification

Ratification is a principal's approval of an act of its agent where the agent lacked authority to legally bind the principal. The term applies to private contract law, international treaties, and constitutionals in federations such as the United States and Canada.- Private law :In contract law, the...

.

Constitution and law

The Constitution of the State of Michigan

Michigan Constitution

The Constitution of the State of Michigan is the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It describes the structure and function of the state's government....

 is the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It describes the structure and function of the state's government. The Constitution also accepts common law.

There have been four constitutions approved by the people of Michigan. The first was in 1835, written as Michigan was preparing to become a state of the Union, which occurred in 1837. The current constitution was approved by voters in 1963.

Executive branch

Michigan's executive branch is headed by the Governor

Governor of Michigan

The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...

. Elected with the Governor is the Lieutenant Governor

Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

The Lieutenant Governor of Michigan is the second-ranking official in U.S. state of Michigan, behind the governor, and one of four great offices of state...

. Constitutional elected executives are Attorney General and Secretary of State. The State Board of Education

Michigan Department of Education

Michigan Department of Education is a state agency of Michigan, in the United States. MDE oversees public school districts in the state. The agency is headquartered at 608 West Allegan Street in Lansing. The Department of Education is overseen by the State Board of Education. The Board of...

 is elected every two years in groups of 2 for eight year terms.

The Governor has the powers and responsibilities to: sign

Signature

A signature is a handwritten depiction of someone's name, nickname, or even a simple "X" that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. The writer of a signature is a signatory. Similar to a handwritten signature, a signature work describes the work as readily identifying...

 or veto

Veto

A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...

 law

Law

Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...

s passed by the Legislature

Legislature

A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...

, including a line item veto; appoint judges, subject to ratification

Ratification

Ratification is a principal's approval of an act of its agent where the agent lacked authority to legally bind the principal. The term applies to private contract law, international treaties, and constitutionals in federations such as the United States and Canada.- Private law :In contract law, the...

 by the electorate; propose a state budget; give the annual State of the State address

State of the State Address

The State of the State Address is a speech customarily given once each year by the governors of most states of the United States. The speech is customarily delivered before both houses of the state legislature sitting in joint session, with the exception of the Nebraska Legislature, which is a...

; sue other executives to comply with the law; command the state militia

Militia

The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...

; and grant pardon

Pardon

Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...

s for any crime, except cases involving impeachment

Impeachment

Impeachment is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as other punishment....

 by the Legislature.

The Lieutenant Governor is the President of the Michigan Senate and acts as the governor when the Governor is unable to execute the office, including whenever the Governor leaves the state.

Also constitutionally created within the executive branch is the state transportation commission, director of the state transportation department

Michigan Department of Transportation

The Michigan Department of Transportation is a constitutional government agency in the US state of Michigan. The primary purpose of MDOT is to maintain the Michigan State Trunkline Highway System which includes all Interstate, US and state highways in Michigan with the exception of the Mackinac...

, civil rights commission

Michigan Department of Civil Rights

Michigan Department of Civil Rights is a department of the Michigan State Government formed in 1965 to support the work of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission of Michigan's Constitution of 1963.-History:...

, a state treasurer

State Treasurer of Michigan

The State Treasurer of Michigan functions as the chief financial officer for the U.S. state of Michigan. The State Treasurer oversees the collection, investment, and disbursement of all state monies, and also administers major tax laws, safeguards the credit of the state, and distributes revenue...

 and principal departments headed by the state treasurer, Attorney General and Secretary of State.

Executive branch departments

The 1963 Constitution requires that all permanent agencies or commissions, except universities, be assigned to one of a maximum of twenty departments.
The Executive Branch of the State of Michigan has several Departments or agencies:

State of Michigan Departments

• Michigan Department of Agriculture
  Michigan Department of Agriculture
  -Divisions:*Animal Industry Division*Food and Dairy Division*Laboratory Division*Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division*Environmental Stewardship Division*Office of Agriculture Development*Operational Services and Central Licensing Division...
  
  
• Department of the Attorney General
  Michigan Attorney General
  The Attorney General of Michigan is the fourth-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. The officeholder is elected statewide in the November general election alongside the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, members of the Senate and...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Civil Rights
  Michigan Department of Civil Rights
  Michigan Department of Civil Rights is a department of the Michigan State Government formed in 1965 to support the work of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission of Michigan's Constitution of 1963.-History:...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Community Health
  Michigan Department of Community Health
  -External links:*...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Corrections
  Michigan Department of Corrections
  The Michigan Department of Corrections oversees prisons and other correctional facilities in the state of Michigan, USA. It has 34 prison facilities, and a Special Alternative Incarceration program, together composing approximately 44,000 prisoners. Another 72,000 probationers and parolees are...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Education
  Michigan Department of Education
  Michigan Department of Education is a state agency of Michigan, in the United States. MDE oversees public school districts in the state. The agency is headquartered at 608 West Allegan Street in Lansing. The Department of Education is overseen by the State Board of Education. The Board of...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
  Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
  The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, formerly the Department of Labor & Economic Growth, oversees energy, employment, professional licensing, construction, and commerce.-History:...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
  Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
  The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality was the agency of the state of Michigan charged with "Protecting Michigan's Environment - Ensuring Michigan's Future"-History:...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Human Services
  Michigan Department of Human Services
  The Michigan Department of Human Services is the agency of state of Michigan, headquartered in Lansing, that provides public assistance, child and family welfare services...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget
• Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
  Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
  The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is a principal department of the State of Michigan. It oversees the military components and veterans services for the State...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the state of Michigan charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission...
  
  
• Michigan Department of State
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
   (Secretary of State)

• Michigan State Police
  Michigan State Police
  The Michigan State Police is the state police agency for the state of Michigan. The MSP is a full service law enforcement agency with its sworn members having full police powers statewide....
  
  
• Michigan Department of Transportation
  Michigan Department of Transportation
  The Michigan Department of Transportation is a constitutional government agency in the US state of Michigan. The primary purpose of MDOT is to maintain the Michigan State Trunkline Highway System which includes all Interstate, US and state highways in Michigan with the exception of the Mackinac...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Treasury

Former Department(s)

• Michigan Department of Career Development
• Department of Civil Service
  Michigan Civil Service Commission
  The Michigan Civil Service Commission is a four member constitutional created commission to administer Michigan's classified state civil service and human resource functions.-History:...
  
  
• Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries
  Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries
  The Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries was an agency of the U.S. state of Michigan. Its official name was Michigan History, Arts and Libraries and its acronym was MHAL...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Information Technology
  Michigan Department of Information Technology
  The Department of Information Technology was a principal department of the Michigan State Government created in 2001 to manage the use of Technology in the government and was merged in 2010 into the Department of Management and Budget then renamed the Department of Technology, Management, and...
  
  
• Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation
• Michigan Department of Labor
• Michigan Department of Mental Health
• Department of the Michigan Jobs Commission
• Michigan Department of Public Health
• Michigan Department of Social Services

Michigan universities

Michigan's state universities are immune from control by the legislature, many aspects of the executive branch, and cities in which they are located; but they are not immune from the authority of the courts. Some degree of political control is exercised as the legislature approves appropriations for the schools. Furthermore, the governor appoints the board of control of most state universities with the advice and consent of the state Senate. Only the board members of the University of Michigan

University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...

, Michigan State University

Michigan State University

Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...

, and Wayne State University

Wayne State University

Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...

 are chosen in general elections.

• Central Michigan University
  Central Michigan University
  Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
  
  
• Eastern Michigan University
  Eastern Michigan University
  Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...
  
  
• Ferris State University
  Ferris State University
  Ferris State University is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1884 as the Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris, an educator from New England who later served as governor of the State of Michigan and finally in the US Senate where...
  
  
• Grand Valley State University
  Grand Valley State University
  Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
  
  
• Lake Superior State University
  Lake Superior State University
  Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste...
  
  
• Michigan State University
  Michigan State University
  Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
  
  
• Michigan Technological University
  Michigan Technological University
  Michigan Technological University is a public research university located in Houghton, Michigan, United States. Its main campus sits on on a bluff overlooking Portage Lake...
  
  
• Northern Michigan University
  Northern Michigan University
  Northern Michigan University is a four-year college public university established in 1899 located in Marquette, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With a population of nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Northern Michigan University is the Upper Peninsula's largest...
  
  

• Oakland University
  Oakland University
  Oakland University is a public university co-founded by Matilda Dodge Wilson and John A. Hannah whose campus is located in central Oakland County, Michigan, United States in the cities of Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. It is the only major research university in Oakland County, from which OU...
  
  
• Saginaw Valley State University
  Saginaw Valley State University
  Saginaw Valley State University, commonly known as SVSU, is a state university in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in the middle of Michigan's lower peninsula in the Saginaw Valley region. The university is located in Kochville Township, Saginaw County...
  
  
• University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
• University of Michigan-Dearborn
  University of Michigan-Dearborn
  The University of Michigan–Dearborn , is a public university located in Dearborn, Michigan, USA.The University of Michigan–Dearborn is one of two regional campuses of the University of Michigan...
  
  
• University of Michigan-Flint
  University of Michigan-Flint
  The University of Michigan–Flint is a public university located in Flint, Michigan in the United States...
  
  
• Wayne State University
  Wayne State University
  Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
  
  
• Western Michigan University
  Western Michigan University
  Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
  
  

List of agencies, departments, and commissions

• Administrative Board
• Civil Service Commission
  Michigan Civil Service Commission
  The Michigan Civil Service Commission is a four member constitutional created commission to administer Michigan's classified state civil service and human resource functions.-History:...
  
  
• Mackinac Bridge Authority
  Mackinac Bridge Authority
  The Mackinac Bridge Authority is the state agency of the U.S. state of Michigan that operates the Mackinac Bridge in northern Michigan.-History of Authority:...
  
  
• Mackinac Island State Park Commission
  Mackinac Island State Park Commission
  The Mackinac Island State Park Commission is an appointed board of the State of Michigan that administers state parklands in the Straits of Mackinac area. It performs public activities under the name Mackinac State Historic Parks...
  
  
• Michigan Lottery
  Michigan Lottery
  The Michigan Lottery offers numerous on-line and scratch-off games, giving players a wide variety of prize possibilities. Initiated under the authority of Public Act 239 in 1972, the games collect funds to support Michigan’s public school system.- History :...
  
  
• Michigan Railroad Commission
  Michigan Railroad Commission
  The Michigan Railroad Commission was an agency in the state of Michigan which regulated the operations of railroads within the state. It was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1873; in 1919 it was abolished and its functions transferred to a new body, the Michigan Public Utilities...
  
  
• Michigan Volunteer Defense Force
  Michigan Volunteer Defense Force
  The Michigan Volunteer Defense Force is a military force, duly constituted as a state defense force and an element of Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The MI VDF was reorganized from the former Michigan Emergency Volunteers by Adjutant General Thomas Cutler in 2004 to fill a...
  
  
• Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration

• Customer Services Administration
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Department Services Administration
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Legal and Regulatory Services Administration
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Bureau of Branch Office Services
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Bureau of Driver and Vehicle Records
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Office of Customer Services
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  

Department of State Information Center

Michigan Secretary of State

The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...

• Office of Technology and Project Services
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Office of Human Services
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Office of Occupancy Services
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Accounting Services Division
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Budget/Grant Services
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Bureau of Information Security
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Bureau of Regulatory Services
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Office of Services to the Aging
  Michigan Department of Community Health
  -External links:*...
  
  
• Board of State Canvassers
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Center for Educational Performance & Information
• Center for Geographic Information
• Children's Ombudsman
• Community Service Commission
• Economic Development Corp.
• Bureau of Elections
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Gaming Control Board
• Office of the Great Seal
  Michigan Secretary of State
  The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
  
  
• Liquor Control Commission
• Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards
• Michigan Employment Relations Commission
• Michigan State Industries
• Public Service Commission
• Racing Commissioner*Records Management Services
• Renewable Fuels Commission
• Retirement Services
• State Budget
• State Employer
• State Housing Development Authority
• State Office of Administrative Hearings & Rules
• State Purchasing
• Tax Tribunal
• Unemployment Insurance Agency
• Women's Commission
• Workers' Compensation Agency
• Archives of Michigan
• Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
• Office of Cultural Economic Development
• Library of Michigan
• Mackinac State Historic Parks
• Michigan Film Office
• Michigan Historical Museum
• State Historic Preservation Office

Cities, Counties, and Special Districts

List of counties in Michigan

• Beecher Metropolitan Water and Sewer District

Legislative branch of Michigan

The Michigan Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state

U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

 of Michigan

Michigan

Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....

. It is organized as a bicameral institution consisting of the Senate, the upper house

Upper house

An upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...

, and the House of Representatives

Michigan State House of Representatives

The Michigan House of Representatives is the lower house of the Michigan Legislature. There are 110 members, each of whom is elected from constituencies having approximately 77,000 to 91,000 residents, based on population figures from the 2000 federal U.S. Census.Members are elected in...

, the lower house

Lower house

A lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house.Despite its official position "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide the lower house has come to wield more power...

. Article IV of the Michigan Constitution

Michigan Constitution

The Constitution of the State of Michigan is the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It describes the structure and function of the state's government....

, adopted in 1963, defines the role of the legislature and how it is to be constituted. The Michigan Legislature meets in the Michigan State Capitol

Michigan State Capitol

The Michigan State Capitol is the building housing the legislative and executive branches of the government of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in the state capital of Lansing in Ingham County...

 in Lansing, Michigan

Lansing, Michigan

Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...

.

Judicial branch

The Michigan Court System consists of two courts with primary jurisdiction, one intermediate level appellate court, and a supreme court. There are several administrative courts and specialized courts.

The two primary courts are the District Court and the Circuit Court. The District Court hears cases involving less serious criminal offenses, while the Circuit Court hears the more serious criminal cases. In addition the Circuit Court is the appellate court for cases heard in the District Courts.

The Court of Appeals hears all appeals from the District Courts and the other lower level courts.

The Supreme Court hears appeals from the Court of Appeals and administers all of the courts.