New Jersey State Senate
New Jersey State Senate | |
General Information | |
Party control: | Democrat |
Session start: | January 9, 2024 |
Session end: | December 31, 2024 |
Term length: | 2-4-4 year system |
Term limits: | None |
Redistricting: | Commission |
Salary: | $49,000/year |
Members | |
Total: | 40 |
Democrats: | 25 |
Republicans: | 15 |
Other: | 0 |
Vacancies: | 0 |
Leadership | |
President: | Nicholas Scutari (D) |
Maj. Leader: | Teresa Ruiz (New Jersey) (D) |
Min. Leader: | Anthony M. Bucco (R) |
Elections | |
Last election: | November 7, 2023 |
Next election: | November 2, 2027 |
The New Jersey State Senate is the upper chamber of the New Jersey State Legislature. Alongside the New Jersey General Assembly, it forms the legislative branch of the New Jersey state government and works alongside the governor of New Jersey to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the New Jersey State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.
The New Jersey State Senate meets in the State House in Trenton, New Jersey.
New Jersey has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature. |
This page contains the following information on the New Jersey State Senate.
- Which party controls the chamber
- The chamber's current membership
- Partisan control of the chamber over time
- Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
- A district map
- How redistricting works in the state
- Legislation currently under consideration
- Legislative session dates
- Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
- A list of committees
Party control
Current partisan control
The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the New Jersey State Senate as of January 2024:
Party | As of January 2024 | |
---|---|---|
Democratic Party | 25 | |
Republican Party | 15 | |
Other | 0 | |
Vacancies | 0 | |
Total | 40 |
Members
Leadership
At the organizational meeting, the Senate elects a president, president pro tempore, and secretary, with each requiring 21 or more votes for approval. The Senate then appoints by resolution the other officers.[1][2]
Leadership and members
- Senate president: Nicholas Scutari (D)
- President pro tem: Sandra Cunningham (D)
- Majority leader: Teresa Ruiz (New Jersey) (D)
- Minority leader: Anthony M. Bucco (R)
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2023 | |
---|---|
Salary | Per diem |
$49,000/year | No per diem is paid. |
Swearing in dates
New Jersey legislators assume office at noon on the second Tuesday in January following the election.[3]
Membership qualifications
In order to qualify as a candidate for the New Jersey State Senate, a candidate must:[4]
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be 30 years of age or older
- Be a registered voter
- Reside in the state for a minimum of four years prior to the general election
- Reside in the legislative district for one year prior to the general election
Historical party control
Democrats won control of the New Jersey State Senate in 2003. In 2021, they won a 24-16 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the New Jersey Senate following every general election from 1991 to 2021. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
New Jersey State Senate election results: 1991-2021
Party | 91 | 93 | 97 | 01 | 03 | 07 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 21 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democrats | 13 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 |
Republicans | 27 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 |
Trifecta history
A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023 New Jersey was under the following types of trifecta control:
- Democratic trifecta: 2004-2009, 2018-2023
- Republican trifecta: 1994-2001
- Divided government: 1992-1993, 2002-2003, 2010-2017
New Jersey Party Control: 1992-2024
Thirteen years of Democratic trifectas • Eight years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Governor | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Senate | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | S | S | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Assembly | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Elections
Elections by year
New Jersey's state senators are not subject to term limits. They serve four-year terms, except in the first term of a new decade, which only lasts for two years. New Jersey holds elections for its legislature in odd years.
Four states, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia hold their state legislative elections in odd-numbered years. New Jersey began holding elections in odd-numbered years when the state adopted a new constitution in 1947. Prior to the new constitution, members of the Assembly were elected to one-year terms, members of the Senate to three-year terms and governors to three-year terms. The new constitution changed the term structure to include two years for representatives and four-year terms for senators and governors. Because the constitution was adopted in an odd-numbered year, elections were also held in odd-numbered years and have continued in such a manner to this day.[5]
2023
- See also: New Jersey State Senate elections, 2023
Elections for the New Jersey State Senate took place in 2023. The general election was on November 7, 2023. A primary was June 6, 2023. The filing deadline was March 27, 2023.
2021
- See also: New Jersey State Senate elections, 2021
Elections for the New Jersey State Senate took place in 2021. The primary was on June 8, 2021, and the general election was on November 2. The filing deadline for candidates was April 5, 2021.[6]
Heading into the election, Democrats held a 25-14 majority with one vacancy. Democrats lost one seat in the election and decreased their majority to 24-16.
New Jersey State Senate | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 2, 2021 | After November 3, 2021 | |
Democratic Party | 25 | 24 | |
Republican Party | 14 | 16 | |
Vacancies | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 40 | 40 |
2017
- See also: New Jersey State Senate elections, 2017
Elections for the New Jersey State Senate took place in 2017. All 40 seats were up for election. The general election took place on November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on June 6, 2017. The filing deadline for the primary election was April 3, 2017.[7][8]
Heading into the election, Democrats held a 24-16 majority. Democrats gained one seat in the election and increased their majority to 25-15.
New Jersey State Senate | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 7, 2017 | After November 7, 2017 | |
Democratic Party | 24 | 25 | |
Republican Party | 16 | 15 | |
Total | 40 | 40 |
Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2013
Elections for the office of New Jersey State Senate took place in 2013. The primary election was held on June 4, 2013, and the general election was held on November 5, 2013. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 24-16 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.
2011
Elections for the office of New Jersey State Senate took place in 2011. The primary election was held on April 10, 2011, and the general election was held on November 8, 2011. The candidate filing deadline was January 7, 2011. Seats in all 40 districts were up for election in 2011. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 24-16 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.
During the 2011 election, the total value of contributions to the 97 Senate candidates was $27,085,886. The top 10 contributors were:[9]
2007
Elections for the office of the New Jersey State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 5, 2007, and a general election on November 6, 2007. During the 2007 election, the total value of contributions to the Senate candidates was $30,156,484. The top 10 contributors were:[10]
2003
Elections for the office of the New Jersey State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 3, 2003, and a general election on November 4, 2003. During the 2003 election, the total value of contributions to the Senate candidates was $19,785,597. The top 10 contributors were:[11]
2001
Elections for the office of the New Jersey State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 26, 2001, and a general election on November 6, 2001. During the 2001 election, the total value of contributions to the Senate candidates was $18,903,480. The top 10 contributors were:[12]
|
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the New Jersey State Legislature, the vacancy will be filled by an interim appointment by the county leadership of the political party that holds the seat. The office will be on the ballot in the next general election, unless the vacancy occurs within 51 days of the election. If that is the case, the appointment would stand until the following general election.[13][14]
See sources: New Jersey Const., Art. IV, Sec. IV(1)
District map
- See also: New Jersey state legislative districts
The state of New Jersey has 40 legislative districts. Senators are elected from the same legislative districts as are members of the New Jersey General Assembly. Each district elects two assembly members but only one senator.
Use the interactive map below to find your district.
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in New Jersey
In New Jersey, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by two distinct politician commissions. The congressional redistricting commission comprises the following 13 members:[15]
- The majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the New Jersey State Legislature appoint two commissioners a piece (for a total of eight members).
- The chairs of the state's two major political parties each appoint two members to the commission (for a total of four members). Commissioners appointed by the political parties cannot be members of Congress or congressional employees.
- The first 12 commissioners appoint the last member. This member cannot have held public office in the state within the previous five-year period. If the first 12 commissioners cannot agree on an appointment, they must submit two names to the New Jersey Supreme Court. The court must then appoint the final commissioner.
If the congressional redistricting commission fails to reach an agreement about a redistricting plan, it must submit two plans to the state Supreme Court, which must in turn select from those two plans a final map.[15]
The state legislative redistricting commission comprises 10 members. The chairs of the state's two major political parties each appoint five members to the commission. In the event that this commission is unable to reach an agreement about a redistricting plan, the state Supreme Court may appoint a tie-breaking member.[15]
State law requires that state legislative districts meet the following criteria:[15]
- Districts must be contiguous.
- Districts "must be as nearly compact as possible."
- Municipalities "must be kept intact, except where otherwise required by law."
There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[15]
2020
On February 18, 2022, the New Jersey Legislative Reapportionment Commission voted to approve a new set of state legislative maps.[16] The commission voted 9-2 to approve the maps. Thomas Kean Jr. (R) and Cosmo A. Cirillo (D) were the two dissenting votes.[17] The New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov wrote that the vote was "an unprecedented compromise for a commission that has historically relied on a court-appointed tiebreaker to end partisan gridlock."[16] These maps took effect for New Jersey's 2023 legislative elections.
District map after 2020 redistricting
Click here to view the enacted map. This map took effect for New Jersey's 2023 legislative elections.
2010
New Jersey received its local census data on February 3, 2011, the state's population grew five percent from 2000 to 2010.[18][19]
The Redistricting Commission had 60 days to decide on a map after receiving its local census data. With the commission unable to agree on a map within 30 days, Rutgers law professor Alan Rosenthal was appointed as the nonpartisan 11th member of the commission as required by state law When a compromise could not be reached, he cast the tie-breaking vote to approve a new map on April 3, 2011.[20]
Sessions
Legislation
The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the New Jersey State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.
Dates of legislative sessions in New Jersey by year
2024
- See also: 2024 New Jersey legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions
In 2024, the legislature is scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on December 31, 2024.
2023
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on January 8, 2024.
Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on December 31, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2021, and adjourn on January 11, 2022. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on December 17, 2020.
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2019, through January 14, 2020. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through January 8, 2019. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through January 9, 2018.
2016
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through January 10, 2017. 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through January 11, 2016. Major issues in 2015Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included pension reform, funding the Transportation Trust Fund, property taxes, and bills aimed at improving the economic climate in Atlantic City after the closing of three casinos in a short span of time.[24] 2014
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through January 12, 2015. Major issues in 2014Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included lowering property taxes, establishing the "Hurricane Sandy Bill of Rights," pay equity for women, funding for women’s health care, and making college more affordable.[25] 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2013, to January 13, 2014. Major issues in 2013Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included rebuilding the state after superstorm Sandy and gun control.[26] 2012
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2012, to January 9, 2013. 2011In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 12, 2011, to January 9, 2012.[27] 2010In 2010, the legislature convened on January 12, and remained in session throughout the year.[28] |
About legislative sessions in New Jersey
The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[29] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.
Article IV of the New Jersey Constitution establishes when the New Jersey State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 1 of Article IV states that each annual session is to begin on the second Tuesday of January. The session does not end until the beginning of the next annual session or until the Legislature chooses to adjourn.
Section 1 also allows for special sessions of the Legislature to be called by the Governor of New Jersey or by a majority of the members of each legislative house.
Legislative roles and procedures
Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.
Veto overrides
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in New Jersey are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.
Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 54 of the 80 members in the New Jersey General Assembly and 27 of the 40 members in the New Jersey State Senate. New Jersey is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?
According to Article V, Section 1 of the New Jersey Constitution, vetoes issued during the first year of the legislative session can be overridden in a special veto session that automatically occurs 45 days following adjournment. |
Authority: Article V, Section 1 of the New Jersey Constitution.
"Upon receiving from the Governor a bill returned by him with his objections, the house in which it originated shall enter the objections at large in its journal or minutes and proceed to reconsider it. If, upon reconsideration, on or after the third day following its return, or the first day of a special session convened for the sole purpose of acting on such bills, two-thirds of all the members of the house of origin agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections of the Governor, to the other house; and if, upon reconsideration, it is approved by two-thirds of all the members of the house, it shall become a law." |
Role in state budget
- See also: New Jersey state budget and finances
New Jersey on |
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[30]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in September.
- State agency requests are submitted in October.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the New Jersey State Legislature on or before the fourth Tuesday in February.[31]
- The legislature adopts a budget on or before June 30. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.
- The fiscal year begins July 1.
New Jersey is one of 43 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[30]
The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget. In turn, the legislature is also constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget.[30]
Committees
Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.
- Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
- Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
- Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.
Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The New Jersey State Senate has 16 standing committees:
- Budget and Appropriations Committee
- Commerce Committee
- Community and Urban Affairs Committee
- Economic Growth Committee
- Environment and Energy Committee
- Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
- Legislative Oversight Committee
- Senate Education Committee
- Senate Higher Education Committee
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Senate Labor Committee
- Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
- Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Senate Rules and Order Committee
- State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee
- Transportation Committee
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the New Jersey Constitution can be amended:
The New Jersey Constitution provides for a legislative process to amend the state constitution.
Legislature
The New Jersey Constitution provides two legislative methods for referring a constitutional amendment to the ballot. First, the legislature can refer an amendment to the ballot through a 60% vote of both chambers during one legislative session. That amounts to a minimum of 48 votes in the New Jersey General Assembly and 24 votes in the New Jersey State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Second, the legislature can refer an amendment through a simple majority vote (50%+1) in each legislative chamber during two successive legislative sessions. That amounts to a minimum of 41 votes in the New Jersey General Assembly and 21 votes in the New Jersey State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
2025 measures:
- See also: 2025 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
Potential:
- The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.
No measures to list
2024 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2024.
- See also: 2024 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
Potential:
- The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2024.
No measures to list
See also
Elections | New Jersey State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ New Jersey Legislature, "Rules of the Senate, accessed July 7, 2014
- ↑ New Jersey Legislature, "New Jersey Senate leadership," accessed July 7, 2014
- ↑ New Jersey Constitution, "Article IV, Section II," accessed February 2, 2023
- ↑ NJ.gov, "PETITION FILING INSTRUCTION SHEET 2023 PRIMARY ELECTION NEW JERSEY STATE SENATE," accessed February 2, 2023
- ↑ The Thicket of State Legislatures, "Why do Four States Have Odd-Year Elections?" Aug. 25, 2011
- ↑ NJ.gov, "2021 Primary Election Timeline," accessed January 22, 2021
- ↑ New Jersey Secretary of State, "2017 Primary Election Timeline," accessed March 21, 2017
- ↑ New Jersey Division of Elections, "Official List, Candidate for State Senate for Primary Election, June 6, 2017," accessed April 13, 2017
- ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey State Senate 2011 Campaign Contributions," accessed December 17, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey State Senate 2007 Candidates," accessed July 26, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey State Senate 2003 Candidates," accessed July 26, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey State Senate 2001 Candidates," accessed July 26, 2013
- ↑ New Jersey Legislature, "Our Legislature," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ New Jersey Legislature, "New Jersey Constitution," accessed February 10, 2021 (Article IV, Section 4, (1))
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 All About Redistricting, "New Jersey," accessed May 6, 2015
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 New Jersey Monitor, "Democrats, GOP agree on new legislative map for N.J.," February 18, 2022
- ↑ Insider NJ, "Redistricting Commission Finalizes Legislative Map by 9-2 Vote," February 18, 2022
- ↑ Star-Ledger, "New census data shows N.J.'s population grew most in southern counties, became more racially diverse," February 3, 2011
- ↑ Star Ledger, "With release of census data, N.J. Legislature has 60 days to come up with redistricting map," February 3, 2011
- ↑ NorthJersey.com, "What N.J.'s legislative redistricting means to you," April 19, 2011
- ↑ NY Times, "Standoff Ends in Budget Deal for New Jersey," July 3, 2017
- ↑ NBC New York, "Gov. Christie Orders New Jersey Government Shutdown Amid Budget Impasse," July 1, 2017
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Politico, "Christie signs N.J. budget, ending 3-day government shutdown," July 3, 2017
- ↑ Law 360, "New Jersey Legislation And Regulation To Watch In 2015," accessed January 21, 2014
- ↑ www.nj.com, "New N.J. Legislature sworn in as Democrats focus on taxes, Hurricane Sandy," accessed January 15, 2014
- ↑ Wall Street Journal, "Sandy Sets New Agenda for Christie ," January 6, 2013
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed July 7, 2014(Archived)
- ↑ Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed May 20, 2017
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ The deadline may be extended for new governors with the agreement of the state legislature.
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