Executive.— The highest executive power is vested in the governor, who is elected for four years, and cannot be re-elected for an immedi ately succeeding term. His salary is $6,000. His veto may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the members present in both branches of the legislature. In case of vacancy, the succession devolves on the president of the senate and the speaker of the house successively. Other officers wielding executive power are the sec retary of state, the attorney-general, the comp troller, the treasurer, the superintendent of pub lic instruction and the commissioner of agri culture. All these officials are elected the same year as the governor and for a like term of four years. With the governor they form the Board. of Commissioners of State Institutions. The Board of Pardons is constituted of the same State officers, except the superintendent of public instruction.
Legislative.— The legislative power resides in a State legislature, composed of two cham bers, a senate of 32 members and a house of representatives of 68 members. The legislature meets biennially, with sessions limited to 60 days except at their own expense. Extra ses sions may be convened by the governor by proclamation, but such extra sessions are not to exceed 20 days. Senators are elected for four years. Representatives are elected for two, the senate being renewed by one-half every two years. The regular sessions begin on the Tuesday following the first Monday in April in alternate years. The legislature meets in 1919.
The Judiciary.— This branch of the State government is composed of a supreme court, circuit courts, criminal courts, county courts and local justices of the peace. The five justices of the supreme court serve for six years; they are elected under the new constitution but previous to 1885 were appointed for life. The chief justice is selected every other year by lot. A majority constitutes a quorum. The 15 justices of the circuit courts also serve for six years. They are nominated by the governor but before qualifying must be confirmed by the senate. In the circuit courts all cases in equity are tried and these courts have exclusive orig inal jurisdiction in such cases. They are also the final courts of appeal in civil and criminal cases first tried in the county courts. State's attorneys are appointed to the circuit courts and serve for terms of four years. The minor courts, criminal courts of record, county courts, county judges' courts, and justices of the peace, are all of limited jurisdiction. Twelve men are required on a jury in all capital offenses, but in all other criminal and in all civil cases six men only are required.
Suffrage, etc.— The constitutional qualifica tions for an elector are that he be a male citi zen of at least 21 years of age. If a natural ized citizen naturalization certificates must be presented at the place of registration. The prospective voter must also have resided in the State one year and in the county six months next preceding election and must register. In addition to these requirements the payment of a poll tax for the two years preceding election has been added as a qualification for voting by act of the legislature, such enactment having been authorized by the constitution. For per sons who have been residents of the State for only one year this provision is modified accord ingly, requiring payment of the poll tax for one year only. The State has the pure Aus tralian ballot and in order to control the negro vote non-partisan tickets are usually put for ward. General elections take place biennially on the Tuesday next following the first Monday in November in even years. In accordance with the provisions of the 17th amendment to the Federal Constitution, United States senators are elected by, the people at the general elections which precede the expiration of a senatorial term of office. In case of a vacancy the gover nor is empowered to make a temporary ap pointment until such vacancy is filled at a gen eral election.
In 1913 a primary election law was passed by the legislature which contained provisions for the nomination to all elective offices in the State, regulated campaign expenditures, and instituted severe penalties for corrupt practices. Under this law to secure representation as a party on the ballot a political party must have polled at the preceding election at least 5 per cent of the vote of the entire State.
Local Government.— The county is the polit ical unit, and at its head is a board of five commissioners which exercises general jurisdic tion over county affairs. These commissioners are elected for a term of two years. Other county officers are the sheriff, the treasurer, tax assessor, tax collector, surveyor, superintendent of public instruction, clerk of the circuit court and constables. It is within the province of the legislature to define the powers and jurisdiction of municipalities and these are generally set forth in the charters establishing such munici palities. All towns may adopt the commission form of government. Pensacola and Tampa are the largest cities which have done so.