U.S. state

A constituent political entity of the United States with its own government and authority under the U.S. Constitution. States share sovereignty with the federal government and are represented in Congress.

Federalism in the United States: The constitutional division of governing authority between the United States and its states. It explains how state authority coexists with national authority.
State constitution: A state’s fundamental legal document establishing its government and defining its powers. Each state structures its institutions through its own constitution.
Thirteen Colonies: The British colonies in North America that declared independence and became the first thirteen U.S. states. They formed the original state membership of the United States.
U.S. territory: A jurisdiction under U.S. sovereignty that is not a state and has a distinct constitutional status. Territories lack the same status and full congressional representation as states.
Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution: The constitutional amendment reserving undelegated powers to the states or the people. It states a central rule governing powers not assigned to the federal government.
Governor of the United States: The chief executive of a U.S. state, generally responsible for enforcing state law. Governors lead state executive branches and often shape relations with Washington.
Articles of Confederation: The first U.S. constitution, in effect from 1781 until its replacement in 1789. It established a confederation of states before the present constitutional system.
District of Columbia: The federal district containing the U.S. capital, established separately from the states. It is not a state, despite having a local government and presidential electors.
Supremacy Clause: The constitutional provision making federal law supreme over conflicting state law. It sets the priority rule when state and federal laws conflict.
State legislature: A state’s elected lawmaking body, usually composed of two chambers. State legislatures enact laws within their constitutional authority.

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