World Communities: San Francisco 5-8

Government

California became a state in 1850. The men and women of San Francisco were citizens of the United States. They were a part of the American government.

Their national government had three parts:

• the President, who suggests laws and appoints judges
• the Congress that makes the laws, and
• the Supreme Court with judges.

The state of California had three parts, a governor, the legislature, and the courts. The city government had three parts, a mayor, the city council, and the courts.

The San Franciscans voted for the president and congress in Washington, D.C. They voted for the governor and legislators in California. They voted for the mayor, city councilmen, and for the judges in the courts. Your parents get to vote for all these offices, too! Voting is a very important part of being an American citizen.

Here is a sample ballot.

You should have answered question 5 for your press conference.