Mississippi

As with all other U.S. states and the federal government, Mississippi's government is based on the separation of legislative, executive and judicial power. Executive authority in the state rests with the governor of Mississippi. The Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi is elected on a separate ballot. Both the governor and lieutenant governor are elected to four-year terms of office.

Mississippi is one of only five states that elects its state officials in odd numbered years (The others are Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Virginia). Mississippi holds elections for these offices every four years in the years preceding Presidential election years.

Legislative authority resides in the Mississippi Legislature, which is the state legislature. The Legislature is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Current state law sets the number of senators at 52 and representatives at 122.