National Government

• Nevada's elected officials are evenly divided between the Democrat and Republican parties. The federal elected officials in January 2001 were U.S. Senator John Ensign (R), who in April 2011 unexpectedly announced his resignation; U.S. Senator Henry Reid (D); and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D), who announced two days after Ensign's resignation a bid for his seat in Senate. Other federal officials include Congressman Dean Heller (R) and Congressman Joe Heck (R). These individuals were elected by the people of Nevada as representatives of the people's political, social and economic beliefs.
  
  

State Government

• The elected officials for office in the state government are predominantly Democrats as of January 2011. The people of Nevada elected Governor Brian Sandoval (R), Lieutenant Governor Brian Krolick (R), Secretary of State Ross Miller, Treasurer Kate Marshall (D), Controller Kim Wallin and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto to represent them.
  
  

Local Government

• The cities and towns of Nevada are given the authority to legislate anything not prohibited by law, an unusual concept known as incorporated towns. Town government is largely formed by Town Advisory Boards and committees where three to five members are elected in only an advisory capacity.
  
  

State Supreme Court

• The Nevada Supreme Court acts much like every other Supreme Court for the other 49 states. The primary function is to review appeals from decisions of the Nevada District Courts. The Supreme Court spends its time determining if the lesser courts ruled legal errors that require reversal or if evidence was sufficient to support the trial judgment.