Elected & Appointed Officials

A person who holds a government position by winning a public election rather than being hired or appointed. Elected officials are directly accountable to the voters who choose them and can be removed from office through elections, recall, or, in some cases, impeachment. The United States has more elected positions than almost any other democracy in the world, spanning everything from the presidency to local soil and water conservation boards.

A person who holds a government position by being selected by an elected official or governing body rather than through a public election. Appointed officials include Cabinet secretaries, federal judges, agency directors, and many other roles at every level of government. While appointed officials are not directly accountable to voters, they are typically accountable to the elected officials who appoint them and, in many cases, subject to legislative confirmation.

A broad term for anyone who works in government in service of the public, whether elected or appointed. The term reflects the idea that government positions exist to serve the community rather than to benefit the officeholder. It is often used to describe the ethic of responsibility and accountability that should guide everyone working in government.

An elected official serving in the U.S. Congress, which includes both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Members of Congress are responsible for representing their constituents, introducing and voting on legislation, conducting oversight of the executive branch, and serving on committees that examine specific policy areas. The term is sometimes used specifically to refer to members of the House of Representatives.

An elected member of a legislative body's upper chamber. At the federal level, U.S. Senators represent entire states, serve six-year terms, and have unique powers including confirming presidential appointments and ratifying treaties. Each state also has its own state senators who serve in the upper chamber of the state legislature, representing districts within the state.

An elected member of a legislative body's lower chamber. At the federal level, U.S. Representatives serve two-year terms and represent congressional districts apportioned by population. Each state also has representatives or assembly members serving in the lower chamber of the state legislature. The term is sometimes used broadly to refer to any elected official who represents a constituency.

The chief executive of a state government, elected by statewide vote. The governor is responsible for implementing state law, overseeing state agencies, proposing the state budget, and serving as the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard. Governors also have significant appointment powers, filling positions on state boards, commissions, and courts, and in most states have the power to veto legislation passed by the state legislature.

The second-ranking executive official in a state government, elected either on a ticket with the governor or separately depending on the state. The lieutenant governor assumes the duties of the governor if the governor is unable to serve and often has specific assigned responsibilities such as presiding over the state senate or leading particular policy initiatives. The role and powers of lieutenant governors vary significantly from state to state.

The chief law enforcement officer of a government, responsible for representing the government in legal matters and overseeing the enforcement of the law. At the federal level, the U.S. Attorney General leads the Department of Justice and is appointed by the president. At the state level, attorneys general are typically elected and play a key role in consumer protection, civil rights enforcement, and challenging or defending state and federal laws.

At the state level, the secretary of state is typically responsible for overseeing elections, maintaining official government records, registering businesses, and certifying official documents. In most states, the secretary of state is an elected position and plays a central role in election administration. At the federal level, the U.S. Secretary of State is an appointed Cabinet member who leads the State Department and manages the country's foreign policy and diplomatic relations.

The elected chief executive of a city or municipality. Depending on the city's governing structure, a mayor may hold significant executive powers over city departments, budgets, and policy, or may serve in a more ceremonial role alongside a city manager who handles day-to-day administration. Mayors are often the most visible local government officials and play a major role in shaping the character and priorities of a city.

A professional administrator hired by a city council to manage the day-to-day operations of city government. In cities that use the council-manager form of government, the city manager is responsible for implementing council policy, overseeing city departments, and managing the city budget. Unlike a mayor, a city manager is not elected and serves at the direction of the city council.

A government official responsible for overseeing financial accounts, auditing government spending, and ensuring that public funds are used properly. At the state and local level, comptrollers are often elected and serve as an independent check on government finances. The role varies by jurisdiction but generally involves monitoring whether government agencies are spending money in accordance with the law and approved budgets.

A government official responsible for managing public funds, overseeing investments, and handling the financial assets of a government entity. State treasurers are typically elected and manage the state's cash flow, investments, and debt. At the local level, treasurers perform similar functions for counties, cities, or school districts.

The chief law enforcement officer of a county, in most states elected directly by county voters. The sheriff is responsible for operating the county jail, serving court papers, providing security in courthouses, and in many counties providing law enforcement services in unincorporated areas not served by a city police department. Because sheriffs are elected rather than appointed, they are directly accountable to county voters.

A public official who presides over a court of law, interprets and applies the law, and renders decisions in legal disputes. Federal judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, serving lifetime appointments. Many state and local judges are elected, though some are appointed. Judicial elections are among the least visible races on a ballot despite the significant impact judges have on the lives of ordinary people.

A judicial officer with limited authority, typically handling less serious criminal matters, small claims, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings. Magistrates may be elected or appointed depending on the jurisdiction and serve an important role in the day-to-day functioning of the court system, handling a large volume of routine legal matters that would otherwise overwhelm the courts.

A public official responsible for investigating deaths that are sudden, unexpected, or occur under suspicious circumstances. In many counties, the coroner is an elected position, making it one of the more unusual elected offices in American government. The coroner's findings can have significant legal consequences and play a role in public health, criminal investigations, and the certification of death records.

An elected or appointed official responsible for maintaining court records, managing the administrative functions of the court, processing legal filings, and collecting court fees and fines. The clerk of court plays an essential behind-the-scenes role in ensuring the court system operates efficiently and that legal records are accurately maintained and accessible to the public.

The local official responsible for administering voter registration, maintaining voter rolls, and overseeing the mechanics of election administration within a jurisdiction. In some areas this role is held by the county clerk or election director. The registrar of voters is a critical figure in ensuring that eligible citizens can participate in elections and that voter records are accurate and up to date.

The elected chief prosecutor for a county or judicial district, responsible for deciding which criminal cases to prosecute, overseeing the work of assistant prosecutors, and representing the government in criminal proceedings. District attorneys have enormous discretion in how they enforce the law and set prosecution priorities, making the office one of the most consequential elected positions at the local level. The role is known as state's attorney or county attorney in some jurisdictions.

The top law enforcement officer of a state, typically elected by statewide vote, responsible for representing the state in legal matters, enforcing state law, and issuing legal opinions to state agencies and officials. State attorneys general have become increasingly prominent in challenging federal policies, suing corporations over consumer protection and antitrust violations, and taking on multistate litigation on issues ranging from environmental regulation to pharmaceutical pricing.

In some jurisdictions, the head of the public defender's office is an elected position rather than an appointed one. The public defender is responsible for providing legal representation to people who are charged with crimes and cannot afford to hire a private attorney, a right guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Electing the public defender rather than appointing the position can increase independence from the political officials who control prosecutorial appointments.

At the federal level, the solicitor general is the official responsible for representing the U.S. government before the Supreme Court and deciding which cases the government will appeal. At the state level, the solicitor general typically assists the attorney general in appellate litigation. The federal solicitor general is often called "the tenth justice" because of the significant influence the office has over what cases the Supreme Court agrees to hear.

An elected or appointed official responsible for conducting independent audits of state government agencies and programs to ensure that public funds are being spent lawfully and efficiently. The state auditor serves as a watchdog over government spending and reports findings to the legislature and the public. An active state auditor can be a powerful force for government accountability and transparency.

A statewide official responsible for overseeing the financial management of state government, including processing payments, maintaining accounts, and ensuring that expenditures comply with the state budget. In some states the comptroller and treasurer functions are combined into a single office. The role varies by state but generally serves as a key check on how public money is managed and spent.

An elected or appointed official responsible for regulating the insurance industry within a state, protecting consumers, ensuring that insurance companies are financially sound, and enforcing state insurance laws. Because insurance is regulated primarily at the state level, the insurance commissioner has significant power over the policies available to residents and the rates they pay.

An elected or appointed official responsible for enforcing state labor laws, overseeing wage and hour regulations, investigating workplace complaints, and protecting the rights of workers. The labor commissioner plays an important role in ensuring that employers comply with minimum wage laws, overtime requirements, and workplace safety standards.

The top education official in a state government, responsible for overseeing the state's public education system, implementing education policy, and administering state and federal education funding. In some states this position is elected, making it directly accountable to voters. In others it is appointed by the governor or the state board of education.

A title used in some states for the chief state school officer, equivalent to the state superintendent of education. Where the position is elected, the superintendent of public instruction is directly accountable to voters and can serve as an independent voice on education policy separate from the governor's administration.

An elected member of a local soil and water conservation district board, responsible for overseeing programs that help landowners and farmers manage natural resources, prevent erosion, improve water quality, and promote sustainable land use. These elections appear on ballots in most states and are among the least noticed elected positions in American government, despite the real impact the district has on local land and water management.

An elected or appointed member of a board that oversees a publicly owned utility, such as an electric, water, or gas utility. Utility board members make decisions about rates, infrastructure investment, and service standards that directly affect the cost and reliability of essential services for residents and businesses. Where these positions are elected, they represent an opportunity for citizens to have direct input into how critical public services are managed.

An elected member of a special district governing body responsible for managing water supply, distribution, and in some cases wastewater treatment within a defined service area. Water district board members make decisions that directly affect the availability and cost of water for residents, farmers, and businesses. These are among the most consequential local elected positions that most voters are unaware of.

An elected member of a port district's governing board, responsible for overseeing the operations of a public port, which may include maritime shipping facilities, airports, or industrial areas. Port commissioners make decisions about infrastructure investment, environmental practices, labor agreements, and economic development that can have significant regional impact.

An elected or appointed member of the governing board of a public transit agency, responsible for setting policy, approving budgets, and overseeing the operations of bus, rail, or other transit systems. Transit board decisions directly affect how people get around, the cost of public transportation, and whether communities invest in sustainable mobility options.

An elected or appointed member of the governing board of a public library system, responsible for setting library policy, approving budgets, overseeing the library director, and ensuring that the library serves the needs of the community. Library board elections are rarely competitive but have significant influence over library programming, collections, and access to information.

An elected member of the governing board of a public hospital district, responsible for overseeing the operation of publicly owned healthcare facilities, setting policy, and ensuring that the district fulfills its mission of providing healthcare services to the community. Hospital district elections are among the least visible on the ballot despite the significant public health responsibilities involved.

In states where supreme court justices are elected rather than appointed, voters directly choose the judges who sit on the state's highest court. State supreme courts have the final word on interpreting state law and the state constitution, and their decisions affect millions of people on issues including criminal sentencing, education funding, redistricting, and individual rights. Despite this, judicial elections consistently see among the lowest turnout of any race on the ballot.

A judge serving on a trial-level court who, in many states, is chosen through a public election. Trial court judges preside over criminal and civil cases, make rulings on evidence and procedure, and in some cases sentence individuals who are convicted of crimes. Electing trial court judges makes the judiciary directly accountable to the public but also raises questions about the influence of campaign contributions on judicial decisions.

A judge who presides over probate court, which handles matters related to wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. In many states, probate judges are elected. Probate courts play an important but often overlooked role in helping families navigate the legal process after a death or when a family member is no longer able to manage their own affairs.

A judge who presides over a city or municipal court, typically handling traffic violations, minor criminal offenses, and local ordinance violations. Municipal court judges are often elected and represent the level of the judiciary that most people are most likely to encounter in their daily lives. Their decisions on fines, fees, and minor criminal matters can have significant consequences for individuals and communities.

An elected or appointed official responsible for the administrative functions of a court system, including maintaining court records, processing filings, managing court schedules, and providing public access to court documents. The clerk of courts is distinct from the court clerk who assists individual judges in a courtroom and oversees an entire court system's administrative operations.

An elected or appointed local official responsible for recording and maintaining official documents related to real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land records. The register of deeds provides an essential public service by ensuring that property ownership records are accurate, accessible, and legally reliable.

A local official, often elected, responsible for determining the value of real property within a jurisdiction for the purpose of calculating property taxes. The assessor's valuations directly affect how much property owners pay in taxes and are subject to appeal through a formal process. Accurate and fair assessment is essential to an equitable local tax system.

A local official, often elected, responsible for collecting property taxes and other local taxes and fees on behalf of the government. The tax collector ensures that tax revenues are collected efficiently and distributed to the appropriate government funds. In some jurisdictions the roles of tax assessor and tax collector are combined into a single office.

A local official, often elected, responsible for recording and maintaining official government documents such as deeds, mortgages, plats, and other legal instruments related to real property. In some jurisdictions the recorder's functions are combined with those of the clerk of courts or the register of deeds. Public access to recorded documents is essential for transparency in property ownership and legal transactions.

A county official, typically elected, who combines the functions of an auditor and a controller into a single office. The auditor-controller is responsible for maintaining county financial records, processing payroll and accounts payable, auditing county departments, and ensuring that county funds are spent in accordance with the law and the approved budget. The role serves as an important independent check on county finances.

An elected local law enforcement officer whose duties vary significantly by state and jurisdiction. In some areas, constables serve civil process papers such as subpoenas and eviction notices, provide security for local courts, and perform limited law enforcement functions. In other jurisdictions the constable's role has largely been absorbed by the sheriff's office or local police. Constables are among the oldest elected law enforcement positions in American government.

Elections in which voters choose judges for state and local courts. Judicial elections are used in the majority of U.S. states, though the specific format varies: some states hold partisan judicial elections where candidates appear on the ballot with a party label, others hold nonpartisan elections, and some use retention elections in which voters decide whether to keep an appointed judge in office. Judicial elections are among the least visible races on the ballot despite the significant and lasting impact judges have on law and everyday life.