U.S. state: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Constituent political entitypolity of the United States}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=MayApril 20192024}}

| population_range = {{ubl|Smallest: [[Wyoming]], 576,851<br>|Largest: [[California]], 39,538,223<ref name="Census2020-Tab2">{{citeCite web |date=April 26, 2021 |title=Table 2. Resident Population for the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico: 2020 Census |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/apportionment/apportionment-2020-table02.pdf |access-date=April 26, 2021 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 26, 2021}}</ref>}}

| area_range = {{ubl|Smallest: [[Rhode Island]], {{Convert|1,545|sqmi}}<br>|Largest: [[Alaska]], {{Convert|665,384|sqmi}}<ref name="areameasurements">{{citeCite web| |title=State Area Measurements and Internal Point Coordinates| |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/state-area.html| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| location=Washington, D.C.| accessurl-datestatus=Marchlive 14, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316004512/https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/state-area.html| |archive-date=March 16, 2018| url|access-statusdate=liveMarch 14, 2018 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |location=Washington, D.C. |df=mdy-all}}</ref>}}

The Constitution grants to Congress the authority to [[Admission to the Union|admit new states]] into the Union. Since the establishment of the United States in 1776 by the [[Thirteen Colonies]], the number of states has expanded from the original 13 to 50. Each new state has been admitted on an [[equal footing]] with the existing states.<ref>{{citeCite web |title=Doctrine of the Equality of States |url=https://law.justia.com/constitution/us/article-4/15-doctrine-of-the-equality-of-states.html|website=Justia.com |access-date=September 12, 2019 |website=Justia.com}}</ref> While the Constitution does not explicitly discuss the issue of whether states have the power to [[secede]] from the Union, shortly after the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the [[U.S. Supreme Court]], in ''[[Texas v. White]]'', held that a state cannot unilaterally do so.<ref name="PavkovićRadan">{{citeCite book |last1last=Pavković |first1first=Aleksandar |url=https://books.google.com/books?{{GBurl|id=-IjHbPvp1W0C&pg|p=PA222222}} |title=Creating New States: Theory and Practice of Secession |last2=Radan |first2=Peter |date=2007 |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |isbn=978-0-7546-7163-3 |page=222 |access-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120115643/https://books.google.com/books?id=-IjHbPvp1W0C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0 |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{citeCite web | title=Texas v. White 74 U.S. 700 (1868)| |url=https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/74/700/| publisher=Justia| location=Mountain View, California| accessurl-datestatus=Januarylive 12, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092022/https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/74/700/| |archive-date=March 4, 2016| url|access-statusdate=liveJanuary 12, 2016 |publisher=Justia |location=Mountain View, California |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

* {{flagflaglist|Alabama}}

* {{flagflaglist|Alaska}}

* {{flagflaglist|Arizona}}

* {{flagflaglist|Arkansas}}

* {{flagflaglist|California}}

* {{flagflaglist|Colorado}}

* {{flagflaglist|Connecticut}}

* {{flagflaglist|Delaware}}

* {{flagflaglist|Florida}}

* {{flagflaglist|Georgia (U.S. state)|name=Georgia}}

* {{flagflaglist|Hawaii}}

* {{flagflaglist|Idaho}}

* {{flagflaglist|Illinois}}

* {{flagflaglist|Indiana}}

* {{flagflaglist|Iowa}}

* {{flagflaglist|Kansas}}

* {{flagflaglist|Kentucky}}

* {{flagflaglist|Louisiana}}

* {{flagflaglist|Maine}}

* {{flagflaglist|Maryland}}

* {{flagflaglist|Massachusetts}}

* {{flagflaglist|Michigan}}

* {{flagflaglist|Minnesota}}

* {{flagflaglist|Mississippi}}

* {{flagflaglist|Missouri}}

* {{flagflaglist|Montana}}

* {{flagflaglist|Nebraska}}

* {{flagflaglist|Nevada}}

* {{flagflaglist|New Hampshire}}

* {{flagflaglist|New Jersey}}

* {{flagflaglist|New Mexico}}

* {{flagflaglist|New York}}

* {{flagflaglist|North Carolina}}

* {{flagflaglist|North Dakota}}

* {{flagflaglist|Ohio}}

* {{flagflaglist|Oklahoma}}

* {{flagflaglist|Oregon}}

* {{flagflaglist|Pennsylvania}}

* {{flagflaglist|Rhode Island}}

* {{flagflaglist|South Carolina}}

* {{flagflaglist|South Dakota}}

* {{flagflaglist|Tennessee}}

* {{flagflaglist|Texas}}

* {{flagflaglist|Utah}}

* {{flagflaglist|Vermont}}

* {{flagflaglist|Virginia}}

* {{flagflaglist|Washington}}

* {{flagflaglist|West Virginia}}

* {{flagflaglist|Wisconsin}}

* {{flagflaglist|Wyoming}}

The 13 original states came into existence in July 1776 during the [[American Revolutionary War]] (1775–1783), as the successors of the [[Thirteen Colonies]], upon agreeing to the [[Lee Resolution]]<ref name="LeeReso">{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2018 |title=Delegate Discussions: The Lee Resolution(s) |url=https://declaration.fas.harvard.edu/blog/dd-lee-resolution |titleaccess-date=DelegateSeptember Discussions:11, The Lee Resolution(s)2019 |website=The Declaration Resources Project |series=Course of Human Events |date=June 7, 2018 |publisher=Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences |language=en |access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref> and signing the [[United States Declaration of Independence]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2015 |title=Declaration of Independence: A Transcription |url=https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript |titleaccess-date=DeclarationSeptember of11, Independence: A Transcription |date=2015-11-012019 |website=National Archives |language=en |access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref> Prior to these events each [[State (polity)|state]] had been a [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] [[British America|colony]];<ref name=LeeReso/> each then joined the first [[Perpetual Union|Union of states]] between 1777 and 1781, upon ratifying the [[Articles of Confederation]], the first U.S. constitution.<ref name="Zimmerman">{{Cite book |last=Zimmerman |first=Joseph F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?{{GBurl|id=hDQpHzSrI0QC&pg|p=PA44}} |title=Interstate Cooperation, Second Edition: Compacts and Administrative Agreements |publisher=SUNY Press |year=2012 |isbn=9781438442365 |pages=4–7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{citeCite book |last=Jensen |first=Merrill |url=https://books.google.com/books?{{GBurl|id=pFXLAMC1xtUC&pg|p=PA184184}} |title=The Articles of Confederation: An Interpretation of the Social-Constitutional History of the American Revolution, 1774–1781 |publisher=University of Wisconsin Press |year=1959 |isbn=978-0-299-00204-6 |pages=xi, 184}}</ref> Also during this period, the newly independent states developed their own individual [[State constitution (United States)|state constitutions]], among the earliest written constitutions in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beeman |first=Richard R. |title=The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Revolution in Government |url=https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/white-pages/the-constitutional-convention-of-1787-a-revolution-in-government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911035217/https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/white-pages/the-constitutional-convention-of-1787-a-revolution-in-government |archive-date=SepSeptember 11, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-September 11, 2019 |publisher=National Constitution Center}}</ref> Although different in detail, these state constitutions shared features that would be important in the American constitutional order: they were [[Republicanism in the United States|republican]] in form, and separated power among three branches, most had bicameral legislatures, and contained statements of, or a bill, of rights.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How the First State Constitutions helped build the Federal Constitution |url=https://www.crf-usa.org/images/pdf/gates/First-States-Constitution.pdf |titleurl-status=How thelive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804040953/https://www.crf-usa.org/images/pdf/gates/First-States-Constitution.pdf State|archive-date=August Constitutions4, helped2016 build|access-date=September the21, Federal Constitution2019 |publisher=Constitutional Rights Foundation | pages=10–12 |access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref> Later, from 1787 to 1790, each of the states also ratified a new federal frame of government in the [[Constitution of the United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2016 |title=Observing Constitution Day |url=https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/ratification.html |title=Observing Constitution Day |access-date=AugustSeptember 1511, 20162019 |website=National Archives |language=en |access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref> In relation to the states, the U.S. Constitution elaborated concepts of [[federalism in the United States|federalism]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1last=Barnett |first1first=Randy E. |last2=Gerken |first2=Heather |date=July 6, 2016 |title=Article I, Section 8: Federalism and the overall scope of federal power |url=https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/article-i-section-8-federalism-and-the-overall-scope-of-federal-power/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131093637/https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/article-i-section-8-federalism-and-the-overall-scope-of-federal-power/ |archive-date=JanJanuary 31, 2022 |website=National Constitution Center}}</ref>

Consequently, each of the 50 states reserves the right to organize its individual government in any way (within the broad parameters set by the U.S. Constitution and the [[Republican Guarantee]] enforced by Congress) deemed appropriate by its people, and to exercise all powers of government not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution.<ref>{{citeCite web |title=10th Amendment US Constitution--Reserved Powers |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CONAN-1992/pdf/GPO-CONAN-1992-10-11.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207022205/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CONAN-1992/pdf/GPO-CONAN-1992-10-11.pdf |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |access-date=December 11, 2020 |website=GovInfo}}</ref> A state, unlike the federal government, has un-enumerated [[Police power (United States constitutional law)|police power]], that is, the right to generally make all necessary laws for the welfare of its people.<ref>{{citeCite book |last1last=Lehman |first1first=Jeffrey |url=https://archive.org/details/westsencyclopedi12lehm |title=West's Encyclopedia of American Law, Volume 8 |last2=Phelps |first2=Shirelle |date=2005 |publisher=Thomson/Gale |isbn=9780787663674 |edition=2 |url-access=registration}}</ref> As a result, while the governments of the various states share many similar features, they often vary greatly with regard to form and substance. No two state governments are identical.

The government of each state is structured in accordance with its individual constitution, all of which are written constitutions. Many of these documents are more detailed and more elaborateelaborated than their federal counterpart. TheFor example, before its revision in 2022, the [[Constitution of Alabama]], for example, containscontained 310,296 words – more than 40 times as many as the U.S. Constitution.<ref name="S&LG">{{Cite web |title=State and Local Government |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/state-local-government/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030221842/https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/state-local-government/ |archive-date=October 30, 2018 |access-date=October 30, 2018 |website= |publisher=[[The White House]] |location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref> In practice, each state has adopted a three-branch frame of government: executive, legislative, and judicial (even though doing so has never been required).<ref name=S&LG/><ref>{{citeCite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions About the Minnesota Legislature |url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.aspx?subject=1|title=Frequently Asked Questions About the Minnesota Legislature|publisher=[[Minnesota State Legislature]]|accessurl-datestatus=Januarylive 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021082117/http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.aspx?subject=1 |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveJanuary 12, 2016 |publisher=[[Minnesota State Legislature]]}}</ref>

Early on in American history, four state governments differentiated themselves from the others in their first constitutions by choosing to self-identify as [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]]s rather than as [[state (polity)|states]]: [[Virginia]], in 1776;<ref name="Hornbook1994">{{citeCite book| |url=http://www.lva.virginia.gov/faq/va.asp#six | editor1-last=Salmon| editor1-first=Emily J.| editor2-last=Campbell| editor2-first=Edward D. C. Jr.| title=The Hornbook of Virginia History| page=88| year=1994| edition=4th| publisher=Virginia Office of Graphic Communications |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-88490-177-8 |editor-last=Salmon |editor-first=Emily J. |edition=4th |location=Richmond, Virginia |page=88 |access-date=March 10, 2016 |editor-last2=Campbell |editor-first2=Edward D. C. Jr. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104300/http://www.lva.virginia.gov/faq/va.asp#six| |archive-date=March 4, 2016| |url-status=live| |df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Pennsylvania]], in 1777; [[Massachusetts]], in 1780; and [[Kentucky]], in 1792. Consequently, while these four are states like the other states, each is formally a commonwealth because the term is contained in its constitution.<ref>{{citeCite web |date=2016 |title=Why is Massachusetts a Commonwealth? |url=http://www.mass.gov/anf/research-and-tech/legal-and-legislative-resources/why-is-massachusetts-a-commonwealth.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315111108/http://www.mass.gov/anf/research-and-tech/legal-and-legislative-resources/why-is-massachusetts-a-commonwealth.html |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=March 10, 2016 |website=Mass.gov |publisher=Commonwealth of Massachusetts |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The term, ''commonwealth'', which refers to ''a state in which the supreme power is vested in the people'', was first used in [[Colony of Virginia|Virginia]] during the [[Interregnum (England)|Interregnum]], the 1649–60 period between the reigns of [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] and [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] during which parliament's [[Oliver Cromwell]] as [[Lord Protector]] established a [[Republicanism|republican]] government known as the [[Commonwealth of England]]. Virginia became a royal colony again in 1660, and the word was dropped from the full title; it went unused until reintroduced in 1776.<ref name=Hornbook1994/>

In each state, the chief executive is called the governor, who serves as both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]]. All governors are chosen by statewide [[direct election]]. The governor may approve or [[Veto power in the United States|veto]] bills passed by the state legislature, as well as recommend and work for the passage of bills, usually supported by their political party. In 44 states, governors have [[Line-item veto in the United States|line item veto]] power.<ref name="NCSLveto">{{citeCite web |title=Separation of Powers--Executive Veto Powers |url=http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/separation-of-powers-executive-veto-powers.aspx| title=Separation of Powers--Executive Veto Powers| publisher=National Conference of State Legislatures| accessurl-datestatus=Marchlive 12, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228001648/http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/separation-of-powers-executive-veto-powers.aspx| |archive-date=February 28, 2018| url|access-statusdate=liveMarch 12, 2018 |publisher=National Conference of State Legislatures |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Most states have a [[plural executive]], meaning that the governor is not the only government official in the state responsible for its [[executive (government)|executive branch]]. In these states, executive power is distributed amongst other officials,<ref>{{citeCite web |last=Regalado |first=Daniel M. |title=The Texas Plural Executive |url=https://courses.lumenlearning.com/odessa-texasgovernment/chapter/plural-executive/| title=The Texas Plural Executive| work=Texas Government (Chapter 4)| last=Regalado| first=Daniel M.| publisher=Lumen Learning| accessurl-datestatus=Marchlive 12, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042633/https://courses.lumenlearning.com/odessa-texasgovernment/chapter/plural-executive/| |archive-date=March 14, 2018| url|access-statusdate=liveMarch 12, 2018 |website=Texas Government (Chapter 4) |publisher=Lumen Learning |df=mdy-all}}</ref> elected by the people independently of the governor—such as the [[Lieutenant governor (United States)|lieutenant governor]], [[State attorney general|attorney general]], [[comptroller#United States|comptroller]], [[Secretary of State (U.S. state government)|secretary of state]], and others.

Elections of officials in the United States are generally for a [[Fixed-term election|fixed term]] of office. The constitutions of 19 states allow for citizens to remove and replace an elected public official before the end of their term of office through a [[recall election]].<ref name="NCSLrecall">{{citeCite web| |title=Recall of State Officials| |url=http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/recall-of-state-officials.aspx| publisher=National Conference of State Legislatures| accessurl-datestatus=Marchlive 12, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331184159/http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/recall-of-state-officials.aspx| |archive-date=March 31, 2018| url|access-statusdate=liveMarch 12, 2018 |publisher=National Conference of State Legislatures |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Each state follows its own procedures for recall elections, and sets its own restrictions on how often, and how soon after a [[general election]], they may be held. In all states, the legislatures can remove state executive branch officials, including governors, who have committed serious abuses of their power from office. The process of doing so includes [[Impeachment in the United States|impeachment]] (the bringing of specific charges), and [[Impeachment trial|a trial]], in which legislators act as a jury.<ref name=NCSLrecall/>

The primary responsibilities of state legislatures are to enact state laws and appropriate money for the administration of public policy.<ref name=NCSLveto/> In all states, if the governor vetoes a bill (or a portion of one), it can still become law if the legislature overrides the veto (repasses the bill), which in most states requires a [[Supermajority#Two-thirds, or 66.66... percent|two-thirds vote]] in each chamber.<ref name=NCSLveto/> In 49 of the 50 states the legislature consists of two chambers: a lower house (variously called the House of Representatives, State Assembly, General Assembly or House of Delegates) and a smaller upper house, in all states called the Senate. The exception is the [[unicameral]] [[Nebraska Legislature]], whichmeaning it has only a single chamber.<ref>{{citeCite web| |title=History of the Nebraska Unicameral: The Birth of a Unicameral| |url=https://nebraskalegislature.gov/about/history_unicameral.php| publisher=Nebraska Legislature| location=Lincoln, Nebraska| accessurl-datestatus=Marchlive 12, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304185859/https://nebraskalegislature.gov/about/history_unicameral.php| |archive-date=March 4, 2018| url|access-statusdate=liveMarch 12, 2018 |publisher=Nebraska Legislature |location=Lincoln, Nebraska |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Most states have a [[Part-time job|part-time]] legislature (traditionally called a [[citizen legislature]]). Ten state legislatures are considered [[Full-time job|full-time]]; these bodies are more similar to the U.S. Congress than are the others.<ref name="NCSLftpt">{{citeCite web| |title=Full- and Part-time Legislatures| |url=http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/full-and-part-time-legislatures.aspx| publisher=National Conference of State Legislatures| accessurl-datestatus=Marchlive 12, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307002645/http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/full-and-part-time-legislatures.aspx| |archive-date=March 7, 2018| url|access-statusdate=liveMarch 12, 2018 |publisher=National Conference of State Legislatures |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 2013, there were a total of 7,383 legislators in the 50 state legislative bodies. They earned from $0 annually (New Mexico) to $90,526 (California). There were various per diem and mileage compensation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Reid |date=August 23, 2013 |title=How much are your legislators paid? |pages=A2 |newspaper=Washington Post |location=Washington, DC |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2013/08/23/how-much-are-your-legislators-paid/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |accessurl-datestatus=August 26, 2013live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825171248/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2013/08/23/how-much-are-your-legislators-paid/ |archive-date=August 25, 2013 |dfaccess-date=mdy-allAugust 26, 2013 |work=Washington Post |location=Washington, DC |pages=A2}}</ref>

States can also organize their judicial systems differently from the [[United States federal courts|federal judiciary]], as long as they protect the federal constitutional right of their citizens to procedural [[due process]]. Most have a trial-level court, generally called a [[district court]], [[Superior court#United States|superior court]] or [[Circuit Court|circuit court]], a first-level [[Court of Appeals|appellate court]], generally called a court of appeal (or appeals), and a [[State supreme court|supreme court]]. Oklahoma and Texas have separate highest courts for criminal appeals. Uniquely, in New York State, the trial court is called the [[New York Supreme Court|Supreme Court]]; appeals go up first to the [[New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division|Supreme Court's Appellate Division]], and from there to its highest court, the [[New York Court of Appeals|Court of Appeals]].

Most states base their legal system on English [[common law]] (with substantial indigenousstatutory changes and incorporation of certain civil law innovations), with the notable exception of Louisiana, a former [[Louisiana (New France)|French colony]], which draws large parts of its legal system from French [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]].

All states are [[unitary state]]s, not federations or aggregates of [[Local government in the United States|local governments]]. Local governments within them are created by and exist by virtue of state law, and local governments within each state are subject to the central authority of that particular state. State governments commonly delegate some authority to local units and channel policy decisions down to them for implementation.<ref>{{citeCite web |title=Unitary system |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/unitary-system|title=Unitary system|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.|accessurl-datestatus=Augustlive 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009084356/https://www.britannica.com/topic/unitary-system |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveAugust 13, 2016 |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.}}</ref> In a few states, local units of government are permitted a degree of [[home rule]] over various matters. The prevailing legal theory of state preeminence over local governments, referred to as [[John Forrest Dillon#Dillon's Rule|Dillon's Rule]], holds that,

{{Blockquote| A municipal corporation possesses and can exercise the following powers and no others: First, those granted in express words; second, those necessarily implied or necessarily incident to the powers expressly granted; third, those absolutely essential to the declared objects and purposes of the corporation—not simply convenient but indispensable; fourth, any fair doubt as to the existence of power is resolved by the courts against the corporation—against the existence of the powers.<ref>{{citeCite journal |last1last=Dean |first1first=Kenneth d. |date=1976 |title=The Dillon Rule -- A limit on Local Government Powers|journal=Missouri Law Review|date=1976|volume=41|issue=4|page=548|url=http://scholarship.law.missouri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2323&context=mlr |accessurl-datestatus=Augustlive 13,|journal=Missouri Law Review |volume=41 |issue=4 |page=548 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009115655/http://scholarship.law.missouri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2323&context=mlr |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveAugust 13, 2016 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>}}

* Personnel – authority to set employment rules, remuneration rates, employment conditions and collective bargaining.<ref>{{citeCite web |title=Local Government Authority |url=http://www.nlc.org/build-skills-and-networks/resources/cities-101/city-powers/local-government-authority|title=Local Government Authority|publisher=[[National League of Cities]]|accessurl-datestatus=Augustdead 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804131854/http://www.nlc.org/build-skills-and-networks/resources/cities-101/city-powers/local-government-authority |archive-date=August 4, 2016 |urlaccess-statusdate=deadAugust 13, 2016 |publisher=[[National League of Cities]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref>}}

Each state admitted to the Union by Congress since 1789 has entered it on an [[equal footing]] with the original states in all respects.<ref name="4.3.1">{{citeCite web |last1last=Forte |first1first=David F. |title=Essays on Article IV: New States Clause |url=http://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/articles/4/essays/125/new-states-clause|work=The Heritage Guide to the Constitution|publisher=The Heritage Foundation|accessurl-datestatus=Januarylive 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724095029/http://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/articles/4/essays/125/new-states-clause |archive-date=July 24, 2017 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveJanuary 12, 2016 |website=The Heritage Guide to the Constitution |publisher=The Heritage Foundation}}</ref> With the growth of [[states' rights]] advocacy during the [[antebellum period]], the Supreme Court asserted, in ''Lessee of Pollard v. Hagan'' (1845), that the Constitution mandated admission of new states on the basis of equality.<ref name="EoS">{{citeCite web |title=Doctrine of the Equality of States |url=http://law.justia.com/constitution/us/article-4/22-doctrine-of-equality-of-states.html |website=Justia.com|accessurl-datestatus=Januarylive 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019004026/http://law.justia.com/constitution/us/article-4/22-doctrine-of-equality-of-states.html |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveJanuary 30, 2012 |website=Justia.com}}</ref> With the consent of Congress, states may enter into [[interstate compact]]s, agreements between two or more states. Compacts are frequently used to manage a shared resource, such as transportation infrastructure or water rights.<ref>{{citeCite web |last=deGolian |first=Crady |title=Interstate Compacts: Background and History |url=http://knowledgecenter.csg.org/drupal/content/interstate-compacts-background-and-history|publisher=Council on State Governments|accessurl-datestatus=Septemberlive 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927110440/http://knowledgecenter.csg.org/drupal/content/interstate-compacts-background-and-history |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveSeptember 25, 2013 |publisher=Council on State Governments}}</ref>

Under [[Article Four of the United States Constitution|Article IV of the Constitution]], which outlines the relationship between the states, each state is required to give [[Full Faith and Credit Clause|full faith and credit]] to the acts of each other's legislatures and courts, which is generally held to include the recognition of most contracts and criminal judgments, and before 1865, slavery status. Under the [[Extradition Clause]], a state must [[extradition|extradite]] people located there who have fled charges of "treason, felony, or other crimes" in another state if the other state so demands. The principle of [[hot pursuit]] of a presumed felon and arrest by the law officers of one state in another state are often permitted by a state.<ref>{{citeCite web |title=Hot Pursuit Law & Legal Definition |url=http://definitions.uslegal.com/h/hot-pursuit|title=Hot Pursuit Law & Legal Definition|publisher=USLegal, Inc.|accessurl-datestatus=Octoberlive 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009153622/http://definitions.uslegal.com/h/hot-pursuit/ |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveOctober 8, 2014 |publisher=USLegal, Inc.}}</ref>

The full faith and credit expectation does have exceptions, some legal arrangements, such as professional licensure and marriages, may be state-specific, and until recently states have not been found by the courts to be required to honor such arrangements from other states.<ref name="interracial">{{citeCite news |worklast=[[TheAdam NewLiptak York|date=March Times]]17, 2004 |title=Bans on Interracial Unions Offer Perspective on Gay Ones |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/17/us/bans-on-interracial-unions-offer-perspective-on-gay-ones.html?pagewanted=1 |title=Bans on Interracial Unions Offer Perspective on Gay Ones |author=Adam Liptak |date=March 17, 2004 |accessurl-datestatus=February 20, 2017live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525063730/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/17/us/bans-on-interracial-unions-offer-perspective-on-gay-ones.html?pagewanted=1 |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveFebruary 20, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Such legal acts are nevertheless often recognized state-to-state according to the common practice of [[comity]]. States are prohibited from discriminating against citizens of other states with respect to their [[human rights|basic rights]], under the [[Privileges and Immunities Clause]].

Under Article IV, each state is guaranteed a form of government that is grounded in republican principles, such as the [[consent of the governed]].<ref>{{citeCite book |author1last=Ernest B. Abbott |author2url=Otto{{GBurl|id=crI0pYe2vmMC|p=52}} J. Hetzel|title=Homeland Security and Emergency Management: A Legal Guide for State and Local Governments |urllast2=https://booksOtto J.google.com/books?id=crI0pYe2vmMC&pg=PA52|year=2010 Hetzel |publisher=American Bar Association |pageyear=522010 |isbn=9781604428179 |page=52}}</ref> This guarantee has long been at the forefront of the debate about the rights of citizens vis-à-vis the government. States are also guaranteed protection from invasion, and, upon the application of the state legislature (or executive, if the legislature cannot be convened), from domestic violence. This provision was discussed during the [[1967 Detroit riot]] but was not invoked.

The [[Supremacy Clause]] ([[Article Six of the United States Constitution#Supremacy|Article VI, Clause 2]]) establishes that the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]], [[Law of the United States|federal laws]] made pursuant to it, and [[Treaty|treaties]] made under its authority, constitute the supreme law of the land.<ref>{{citeCite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/supremacy_clause|title=Supremacy Clause|authorlast=[[Cornell University Law School]] |publishertitle=Supremacy Clause |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/supremacy_clause |accessurl-datestatus=Februarylive 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201142625/https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/supremacy_clause |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveFebruary 21, 2018 |publisher=law.cornell.edu}}</ref> It provides that [[State court (United States)|state courts]] are bound by the supreme law; in case of conflict between federal and state law, the federal law must be applied. Even [[State constitution (United States)|state constitutions]] are subordinate to federal law.<ref>{{citeCite book |last1last=Burnham |first1first=William |title=Introduction to the Law and Legal System of the United States, 4th ed. |date=2006 |publisher=Thomson West |location=St. Paul |page=41}}</ref>

Among the Article I enumerated powers of Congress is the power to regulate commerce. Since the early 20th century, the Supreme Court's interpretation of this "[[Commerce Clause]]" has, over time, greatly expanded the scope of [[federal power]], at the expense of powers formerly considered purely states' matters. The ''Cambridge Economic History of the United States'' says, "On the whole, especially after the mid-1880s, the Court construed the Commerce Clause in favor of increased federal power."<ref>{{citeCite book |authorlast=Stanley Lewis Engerman |url={{GBurl|id=6sDXBGMbrWkC}} |title=The Cambridge economic history of the United States: the colonial era|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6sDXBGMbrWkC|year=2000 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-521-55307-0 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?{{GBurl|id=6sDXBGMbrWkC&pg|p=PA464464}} 464]}}</ref> In 1941, the Supreme Court in ''[[United States v. Darby Lumber Co.|U.S. v. Darby]]'' upheld the [[Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938]], holding that Congress had the power under the Commerce Clause to regulate employment conditions.<ref>{{citeCite web| |title=United States v. Darby, 312 U.S. 100 (1941)| |url=https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/312/100/ |access-date=October 30, 2018 |website=justia.com| |publisher=Justia| |location=Mountain View, California| access-date=October 30, 2018}}</ref> Then, one year later, in ''[[Wickard v. Filburn]]'', the Court expanded federal power to regulate the economy by holding that federal authority under the commerce clause extends to activities which may appear to be local in nature but in reality effect the entire national economy and are therefore of national concern.<ref>{{citeCite book |authorlast=David Shultz |url={{GBurl|id=I_f6Oo9H3YsC}} |title=Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court |urlpublisher=https://books.google.com/books?id=I_f6Oo9H3YsCInfobase Publishing |year=2005|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-0-8160-5086-4 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?{{GBurl|id=I_f6Oo9H3YsC&pg|p=PA522522}} 522]}}</ref> For example, Congress can regulate railway traffic across state lines, but it may also regulate rail traffic solely within a state, based on the reality that intrastate traffic still affects interstate commerce. Through such decisions, argues law professor David F. Forte, "the Court turned the commerce power into the equivalent of a general regulatory power and undid the Framers' original structure of limited and delegated powers." Subsequently, Congress invoked the Commerce Clause to expand federal criminal legislation, as well as for social reforms such as the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]]. Only within the past couple of decades, through decisions in cases such as those in ''[[United States v. Lopez|U.S. v. Lopez]]'' (1995) and ''[[United States v. Morrison|U.S. v. Morrison]]'' (2000), has the Court tried to limit the Commerce Clause power of Congress.<ref name="A1Essays">{{citeCite web| |last=Forte| |first=David F.| |title=Essays on Article I: Commerce among the States| work=Heritage Guide to the Constitution| url=https://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/articles/1/essays/38/commerce-among-the-states| publisher=Heritage Foundation| access-date=October 30, 2018 |website=Heritage Guide to the Constitution |publisher=Heritage Foundation}}</ref>

Another enumerated congressional power is its [[Taxing and Spending Clause|taxing and spending power]].<ref name="USC-ART1SEC8">{{citeCite web |title= Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section 8 |website= Legal Information Institute, Cornell University Law School |url= https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei#section8 |accessurl-datestatus= October 17, 2015live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151019055147/https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei#section8 |archive-date= October 19, 2015 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveOctober 17, 2015 |website=Legal Information Institute, Cornell University Law School |df= mdy-all }}</ref> An example of this is the system of federal aid for highways, which include the [[Interstate Highway System]]. The system is mandated and largely funded by the federal government and serves the interests of the states. By threatening to withhold [[United States Numbered Highways|federal highway]] funds, Congress has been able to pressure state legislatures to pass various laws.<ref>{{citeCite book |last=Robertson |first=David Brian |title=Federalism: Political Identity and Tragic Compromise |publisher=University of Notre Dame Press |year=2008 |page=122}}</ref> An example is the nationwide legal drinking age of 21, enacted by each state, brought about by the [[National Minimum Drinking Age Act]]. Although some objected that this infringes on states' rights, the Supreme Court upheld the practice as a permissible use of the Constitution's Spending Clause in ''[[South Dakota v. Dole]]'' {{ussc|483|203|1987}}.

As prescribed by Article I of the Constitution, which establishes the U.S. Congress, each state is represented in the Senate (irrespective of population size) by two senators, and each is guaranteed at least one representative in the House. Both senators and representatives are chosen in [[Direct election|direct popular elections]] in the various states. (Prior to 1913, senators were elected by state legislatures.) There are presently 100 senators, who are elected [[at-large]] to [[Classes of United States Senators|staggered terms]] of six years, with one-third of them being chosen every two years. Representatives are elected at large or from [[single-member district]]s to terms of two years (not staggered). The size of the House—presently 435 voting members—is set by [[Act of Congress|federal statute]]. Seats in the House are [[United States congressional apportionment|distributed]] among the states in proportion to the most recent constitutionally mandated decennial [[United States Census|census]].<ref>{{citeCite web |authorlast=Kristin D. Burnett |title=Congressional Apportionment (2010 Census Briefs C2010BR-08) |url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-08.pdf |title=Congressional Apportionment (2010 Census Briefs C2010BRurl-08) |publisherstatus=U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration |access-date=December 11, 2017live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119155913/http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-08.pdf |archive-date=November 19, 2011 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveDecember 11, 2017 |publisher=U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration}}</ref> The borders of these districts are established by the states individually through a process called [[redistricting]], and within each state all districts are required to have approximately equal populations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://redistricting.lls.edu/who.php |title=Who draws the lines |work=All About Redistricting |last=Levitt |first=Justin |publishertitle=UniversityWho ofdraws Loyolathe Law Schoollines |locationurl=Los Angeles, Californiahttp://redistricting.lls.edu/who.php |accessurl-datestatus=June 17, 2018live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617165953/http://redistricting.lls.edu/who.php |archive-date=June 17, 2018 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveJune 17, 2018 |website=All About Redistricting |publisher=University of Loyola Law School |location=Los Angeles, California}}</ref>

Citizens in each state plus those in the [[District of Columbia]] [[indirectly elect]] the [[President of the United States|president]] and [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]]. When casting [[ballot]]s in [[United States presidential election|presidential elections]] they are voting for [[Electoral College (United States)|presidential electors]], who then, using procedures provided in the [[Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution|12th amendment]], elect the president and vice president.<ref>{{citeCite web| |last=Fried | first=Charles | title=Essays on Amendment XII: Electoral College| work=Heritage Guide to the Constitution| url=https://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/amendments/12/essays/165/electoral-college| publisher=Heritage Foundation| access-date=October 30, 2018 |website=Heritage Guide to the Constitution |publisher=Heritage Foundation}}</ref> There were 538 electors for the most recent presidential election in [[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]; the allocation of electoral votes was based on the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref>{{citeCite web |date=February 2018 |title=The 2016 Presidential Election: Provisions of the Constitution and United States Code| date|url=Februaryhttps://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/resources/2016-presidential-election-brochure.pdf 2018| pageurl-status=6|dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804040137/https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/resources/2016-presidential-election-brochure.pdf |archive-date=August 4, 2016 |access-date=October 30, 2018 |publisher=Office of the Federal Register, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration |page=6 |location=Washington, D.C.|access-date=October 30, 2018}}</ref> Each state is entitled to a number of electors equal to the total number of representatives and senators from that state; the District of Columbia is entitled to three electors.<ref>{{citeCite web| last1|last=Whitaker| first1|first=L. Paige| |last2=Neale| |first2=Thomas H. |date=November 5, 2004 |title=The Electoral College: An Overview and Analysis of Reform Proposals| |url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs5853/m1/1/high_res_d/RL30804_2004Nov05.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104163138/https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs5853/m1/1/high_res_d/RL30804_2004Nov05.pdf |archive-date=November 54, 20042021 | origaccess-yeardate=JanuaryOctober 1630, 2001|2018 |publisher=Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress| location=Washington, D.C.| access-date=October 30, 2018| via=[[University of North Texas Libraries|UNT Libraries]] Government Documents Department; UNT Digital Library |orig-year=January 16, 2001 |location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref>

While the Constitution does set parameters for the election of federal officials, state law, not federal, regulates most aspects of elections in the U.S., including primaries, the eligibility of voters (beyond the basic constitutional definition), the running of each state's electoral college, as well as the running of state and local elections. All elections—federal, state, and local—are administered by the individual states, and some voting rules and procedures may differ among them.<ref>{{citeCite web | title=Elections & Voting| |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/elections-voting/ |access-date=October 30, 2018 |website=whitehouse.gov| |publisher=[[The White House]]| |location=Washington, D.C.| access-date=October 30, 2018}}</ref>

[[Article Five of the United States Constitution|Article V of the Constitution]] accords states a key role in the process of amending the U.S. Constitution. Amendments may be proposed either by Congress with a [[supermajority|two-thirds vote]] in both the House and the Senate, or by a [[Convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution|constitutional convention]] called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures.<ref>{{citeCite web |title=The Constitutional Amendment Process |url=https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/constitution/ |publisher=The U.S. [[National Archives and Records Administration]] |accessurl-datestatus=November 17, 2015live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121061058/http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/constitution/ |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveNovember 17, 2015 |publisher=The U.S. [[National Archives and Records Administration]]}}</ref> To become part of the Constitution, an amendment must be ratified by either—as determined by Congress—the legislatures of three-quarters of the states or [[state ratifying conventions]] in three-quarters of the states.<ref>{{citeCite news |last=Wines |first=Michael |date=August 22, 2016 |title=Inside the Conservative Push for States to Amend the Constitution |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/23/us/inside-the-conservative-push-for-states-to-amend-the-constitution.html |newspaper=NYT |accessurl-datestatus=August 24, 2016live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823202657/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/23/us/inside-the-conservative-push-for-states-to-amend-the-constitution.html |archive-date=August 23, 2016 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveAugust 24, 2016 |work=NYT}}</ref> The vote in each state (to either ratify or reject a proposed amendment) carries equal weight, regardless of a state's population or length of time in the Union.

U.S. states are not sovereign in the [[Westphalian sovereignty|Westphalian sense]] in [[international law]] which says that each State has sovereignty over its territory and domestic affairs, to the exclusion of all external powers, on the principle of non-interference in another State's domestic affairs, and that each State (no matter how large or small) is equal in international law.<ref name="Krasner">{{citeCite book |pageslast=6–12Krasner |urlfirst=https://booksProfessor Stephen D.google.com/books? |url={{GBurl|id=ISqwQIBQff4C&pg|p=PA77}} |title=Problematic Sovereignty: Contested Rules and Political Possibilities |isbnpublisher=9780231121798Columbia University Press |last1year=Krasner2001 |first1isbn=Professor Stephen9780231121798 D.|yearpages=20016–12}}</ref> Additionally, the 50 U.S. states do not possess international legal sovereignty, meaning that they are not recognized by other sovereign States such as, for example, France, Germany or the United Kingdom.<ref name=Krasner/> The federal government is responsible for [[international relations]], but state and local government leaders do occasionally travel to other countries and form economic and cultural relationships.

Most of the states admitted to the Union after the original 13 were formed from an [[organized incorporated territories of the United States|organized territory]] established and governed by Congress in accord with its [[plenary power]] under Article IV, Section 3, [[Article Four of the United States Constitution#Clause 2: Property Clause|Clause 2]].<ref>{{citeCite web |title=Property and Territory: Powers of Congress |url=http://law.justia.com/constitution/us/article-4/25-methods-of-disposing-property.html |website=Justia.com|accessurl-datestatus=Aprillive 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525020637/http://law.justia.com/constitution/us/article-4/25-methods-of-disposing-property.html |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveApril 8, 2016 |website=Justia.com}}</ref> The outline for this process was established by the [[Northwest Ordinance]] (1787), which predates the ratification of the Constitution. In some cases, an entire territory has become a state; in others some part of a territory has.

When the people of a territory make their desire for statehood known to the federal government, Congress may pass an [[enabling act]] authorizing the people of that territory to organize a [[constitutional convention (political meeting)|constitutional convention]] to write a state constitution as a step toward admission to the Union. Each act details the mechanism by which the territory will be admitted as a state following ratification of their constitution and election of state officers. Although the use of an enabling act is a traditional historic practice, a number of territories have drafted constitutions for submission to Congress absent an enabling act and were subsequently admitted. Upon acceptance of that constitution and meeting any additional Congressionalcongressional stipulations, Congress has always admitted that territory as a state.

* California, 1850, from land [[Mexican Cession|ceded]] to the United States by [[Mexico]] in 1848 under the terms of the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]].<ref name="StatesShapes" /><ref name=GP/><ref>{{citeCite web |title=California Admission Day September 9, 1850 |url=http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23856|website=CA.gov|publisher=California Department of Parks and Recreation|accessurl-datestatus=Aprillive 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328225158/http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23856 |archive-date=March 28, 2016 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveApril 8, 2016 |website=CA.gov |publisher=California Department of Parks and Recreation}}</ref>

* Kentucky, 1792, from Virginia (District of Kentucky: [[Fayette County, Kentucky|Fayette]], [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson]], and [[Lincoln County, Kentucky|Lincoln]] counties)<ref name="StatesShapes" /><ref name="GP">{{citeCite web |title=Official Name and Status History of the several States and U.S. Territories |url=http://www.thegreenpapers.com/slg/statehood.phtml |website=TheGreenPapers.com|accessurl-datestatus=Aprillive 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814204615/http://www.thegreenpapers.com/slg/statehood.phtml |archive-date=August 14, 2009 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveApril 8, 2016 |website=TheGreenPapers.com}}</ref><ref name="LPQ">{{citeCite journal| |last=Riccards| |first=Michael P.| |author-link=Michael P. Riccards |date=Summer 1997 |title=Lincoln and the Political Question: The Creation of the State of West Virginia| |journal=Presidential Studies Quarterly | volume=27 | issue=3| date=Summer 1997}}</ref>

* Maine, 1820, from Massachusetts ([[District of Maine]])<ref name="StatesShapes" /><ref name=GP/><ref name=LPQ/>

* Texas, 1845, previously the [[Republic of Texas]]<ref name="StatesShapes" /><ref name=GP/><ref>{{citeCite book |last1last=Holt |first1first=Michael F. |title=The fate of their country: politicians, slavery extension, and the coming of the Civil War |date=200 |publisher=Hill and Wang|location=New York|page=15|isbn=978-0-8090-4439-9 |location=New York |page=15}}</ref>

* Vermont, 1791, previously the [[Vermont Republic]] (also known as the [[New Hampshire Grants]] and claimed by New York)<ref name="StatesShapes" /><ref name=GP/><ref>{{citeCite web |title=The 14th State |url=https://vermonthistory.org/explorer/vermont-stories/becoming-a-state/the-14th-state|website=Vermont History Explorer|publisher=Vermont Historical Society|accessurl-datestatus=April 8,live 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221065839/http://vermonthistory.org/explorer/vermont-stories/becoming-a-state/the-14th-state |archive-date=December 21, 2015 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveApril 8, 2016 |website=Vermont History Explorer |publisher=Vermont Historical Society}}</ref>

* West Virginia, 1863, from [[Restored Government of Virginia|Virginia]] (Trans-[[Allegheny Mountains|Allegheny]] region counties) during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]<ref name=GP/><ref name=LPQ/><ref>{{citeCite web |title=A State of Convenience: The Creation of West Virginia, Chapter Twelve, Reorganized Government of Virginia Approves Separation |url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/statehood/statehood12.html|website=Wvculture.org|publisher=West Virginia Division of Culture and History|accessurl-datestatus=April 8,live 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173849/http://www.wvculture.org/history/statehood/statehood12.html |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveApril 8, 2016 |website=Wvculture.org |publisher=West Virginia Division of Culture and History}}</ref>

Congress is under no obligation to admit states, even in those areas whose population expresses a desire for statehood. Such has been the case numerous times during the nation's history. In one instance, [[Mormon pioneers]] in [[Salt Lake City]] sought to establish the state of [[State of Deseret|Deseret]] in 1849. It existed for slightly over two years and was never approved by the [[United States Congress]]. In another, leaders of the [[Five Civilized Tribes]] (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole) in [[Indian Territory]] proposed to establish the state of [[State of Sequoyah|Sequoyah]] in 1905, as a means to retain control of their lands.<ref name="museum">{{citeCite web| url=http://www.museumoftheredriver.org/choctaw.html|year=2005 |title=Museum of the Red River - The Choctaw| year=2005| access-dateurl=Augusthttp://www.museumoftheredriver.org/choctaw.html 4, 2009| publisher=Museum of the Red River| url-status=dead| |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615223442/http://www.museumoftheredriver.org/choctaw.html| |archive-date=June 15, 2009 |access-date=August 4, 2009 |publisher=Museum of the Red River |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The proposed constitution ultimately failed in the U.S. Congress. Instead, the Indian Territory and [[Oklahoma Territory]] were both incorporated into the new state of Oklahoma in 1907. The first instance occurred while the nation still operated under the Articles of Confederation. The [[State of Franklin]] existed for several years, not long after the end of the American Revolution, but was never recognized by the Confederation Congress, which ultimately recognized [[North Carolina]]'s claim of sovereignty over the area. The territory comprising Franklin later became part of the Southwest Territory, and ultimately of the state of Tennessee.

Additionally, the entry of several states into the Union was delayed due to distinctive complicating factors. Among them, [[Michigan Territory]], which petitioned Congress for statehood in 1835, was not admitted to the Union until 1837, due to a [[Toledo War|boundary dispute]] with the adjoining state of Ohio. The [[Republic of Texas]] requested annexation to the United States in 1837, but fears about potential conflict with Mexico delayed the admission of Texas for nine years.<ref>{{citeCite book |last=Winders |first=Richard Bruce| last|url= Winders{{GBurl|id=mcc9EciebFYC}} |title=Crisis in the Southwest: the United States, Mexico, and the Struggle over Texas| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mcc9EciebFYC| year= 2002| publisher= Rowman & Littlefield |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-8420-2801-1 |pages= [https://books.google.com/books?{{GBurl|id=mcc9EciebFYC&pg|p=PA8282}} 82], [https://books.google.com/books?{{GBurl|id=mcc9EciebFYC&pg|p=PA9292}} 92]| |access-date=October 30, 2018| |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Statehood for [[Kansas Territory]] was held up for several years (1854–61) due to a series of internal [[Bleeding Kansas|violent conflicts]] involving [[Free-Stater (Kansas)|anti-slavery]] and [[Border Ruffian|pro-slavery]] factions. West Virginia's bid for statehood was also delayed over slavery and was settled when it agreed to adopt a gradual abolition plan.<ref>Oakes, James ''Freedom National: The Destruction of Slavery in the United States, 1861–1865'', W.W. Norton, 2012, pgs. 296-97</ref>

[[Puerto Rico]], an [[Unincorporated territories of the United States|unincorporated U.S. territory]], refers to itself as the "[[Commonwealth (U.S. insular area)|Commonwealth]] of Puerto Rico" in the English version of its [[Constitution of Puerto Rico|constitution]], and as "Estado Libre Asociado" (literally, Associated Free State) in the Spanish version. As with all U.S. territories, its residents do not have full representation in the United States Congress. Puerto Rico has limited representation in the U.S. House of Representatives in the form of a [[Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico|Resident Commissioner]], a delegate with limited voting rights in the [[Committee of the Whole (United States House of Representatives)|Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union]], but no voting rights otherwise.<ref name="rhg">{{citeCite web |title=Rules of the House of Representatives |url=http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf |title=Rules of the House of Representatives |access-date=July 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528025556/http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=July 25, 2010}}</ref>

A non-binding referendum on statehood, independence, or a new option for an associated territory (different from the current status) was held on November 6, 2012. Sixty one percent (61%) of voters chose the statehood option, while one third of the ballots were submitted blank.<ref name="Puerto Ricans favor statehood">{{citeCite web |date=November 7, 2012 |title=''Puerto Ricans favor statehood for first time'' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politics/election-puerto-rico/index.html|title=''Puerto Ricans favor statehood for first time''|date=November 7, 2012|work=CNN|accessurl-datestatus=Octoberlive 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006192057/https://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politics/election-puerto-rico/index.html |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveOctober 8, 2014 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref name="Puerto Ricans opt for statehood">{{citeCite web |title=''Puerto Ricans opt for statehood'' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/07/puerto-ricans-opt-for-statehood-in-referendum/|title=''Puerto Ricans opt for statehood''|work=Fox News|accessurl-datestatus=Octoberlive 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007083423/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/07/puerto-ricans-opt-for-statehood-in-referendum/ |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveOctober 8, 2014 |website=Fox News}}</ref>

On December 11, 2012, the [[Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico]] enacted a [[concurrent resolution]] requesting the [[President of the United States|President]] and the [[Congress of the United States]] to respond to the referendum of the people of Puerto Rico, held on November 6, 2012, to end its current form of territorial status and to begin the process to admit Puerto Rico as a state.<ref>{{citeCite web |title=The Senate and the House of Representative of Puerto Rico Concurrent Resolution |url=http://www.puertoricoreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2012-concurrent-resolution.pdf|title=The Senate and the House of Representative of Puerto Rico Concurrent Resolution|website=puertoricoreport.org|accessurl-datestatus=Decemberlive 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320043957/http://www.puertoricoreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2012-concurrent-resolution.pdf |archive-date=March 20, 2013 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveDecember 15, 2012 |website=puertoricoreport.org}}</ref>

Another [[Puerto Rican status referendum, 2017|status referendum]] was held on June 11, 2017, in which 97% percent of voters chose statehood. Turnout was low, as only 23% of voters went to the polls, with advocates of both continued territorial status and independence urging voters to boycott it.<ref>{{citeCite news |last=Robles |first=Frances |date=June 11, 2017 |title=23% of Puerto Ricans Vote in Referendum, 97% of Them for Statehood |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/11/us/puerto-ricans-vote-on-the-question-of-statehood.html?_r=1|title=23% of Puerto Ricans Vote in Referendum, 97% of Them for Statehood|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 11, 2017|accessurl-datestatus=Junelive 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612202622/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/11/us/puerto-ricans-vote-on-the-question-of-statehood.html?_r=1 |archive-date=June 12, 2017 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveJune 14, 2017 |last1work=Robles|first1=FrancesThe New York Times}}</ref>

On June 27, 2018, the H.R. 6246 Act was introduced on the [[U.S. House]] with the purpose of responding to, and comply with, the democratic will of the United States citizens residing in Puerto Rico as expressed in the plebiscites held on November 6, 2012, and June 11, 2017, by setting forth the terms for the admission of the territory of Puerto Rico as a state of the Union.<ref>{{citeCite web |last=Congress.Gov |date=July 7, 2018 |title=H.R.6246 - Puerto Rico Admission Act of 2018 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6246/text|title=To enable the admission of the territory of Puerto Rico into the Union as a state, and for other purposes.|author=Congress.Gov|date=July 7, 2018|website=www.congress.gov|accessurl-datestatus=Julylive 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707230657/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6246/text |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveJuly 7, 2018}}</ref> The act has 37 original cosponsors between Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref>{{citeCite web |urllast=https://wwwCongress.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6246/cosponsors?rGov |date=12July 7, 2018 |title=Cosponsors: H.R.6246 — 115th Congress (2017–2018)|author=Congress.Gov|date=July 7, 2018|websiteurl=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6246/cosponsors?r=12 |accessurl-datestatus=Julylive 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707230550/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6246/cosponsors?r=12 |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveJuly 7, 2018}}</ref>

On November 3, 2020, Puerto Rico held another [[2020 Puerto Rican status referendum|referendum]]. In the non-binding referendum, Puerto Ricans voted in favor of becoming a state. They also voted for a pro-statehood [[Governor of Puerto Rico|governor]], [[Pedro Pierluisi]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1last=Santiago |first1first=Abdiel |last2=Kustov |first2=Alexander |last3=Valenzuela |first3=Ali A. |title=Analysis {{!}} Puerto Ricans voted to become the 51st U.S. state — again|language=en-US|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/13/puerto-ricans-voted-become-51st-us-state-again/ |access-date=December 7, 2020 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |language=en-12-07US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

The strong majority of residents of the District support statehood of some form for that jurisdiction – either statehood for the whole district or for the inhabited part, with the remainder remaining under [[federal jurisdiction (United States)|federal jurisdiction]]. In November 2016, Washington, D.C. residents voted in a [[District of Columbia statehood referendum, 2016|statehood referendum]] in which 86% of voters supported statehood for Washington, D.C.<ref>{{citeCite web |date=November 7, 2016 |title=DC Voters Elect Gray to Council, Approve Statehood Measure |url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-Election-Statehood-Council-Seats-400275901.html|title=DC Voters Elect Gray to Council, Approve Statehood Measure|website=nbcwashington.com|date=November 7, 2016 |accessurl-datestatus=Junelive 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109221442/http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-Election-Statehood-Council-Seats-400275901.html |archive-date=November 9, 2016 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveJune 14, 2017 |website=nbcwashington.com}}</ref> For statehood to be achieved, it must be approved by Congress.<ref>{{citeCite web |date=November 23, 2018 |title=How Does a Territory Become a State? |url=https://www.puertoricoreport.com/how-does-a-territory-become-a-state/ |access-date=November 27, 2019 |website=www.puertoricoreport.com |publisher=Puerto Rico Report |access-date=November 27, 2019 |date=November 23, 2018}}</ref>

The Constitution speaks of "union" several times, but does not explicitly discuss the issue of whether a state can [[secede]] from the Union. Its predecessor, the [[Articles of Confederation]], stated that the union of the United States "shall be [[Perpetual Union|perpetual]]." The question of whether or not individual states held the unilateral right to secession was a passionately debated feature of the nations' political discourse from early in its history and remained a difficult and divisive topic until the [[American Civil War]]. In 1860 and 1861, 11 southern states each declared secession from the United States and joined to form the [[Confederate States of America]] (CSA). Following the defeat of Confederate forces by Union armies in 1865, those states were brought back into the Union during the ensuing [[Reconstruction era]]. The federal government never recognized the sovereignty of the CSA, nor the validity of the [[ordinances of secession]] adopted by the seceding states.<ref name=PavkovićRadan/><ref name="74700TvW">{{citeCite web| |title=Texas v. White| |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/74/700| publisher=Legal Information Institute| location=Cornell Law School, Ithaca, New York| accessurl-datestatus=Marchlive 14, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313024759/https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/74/700| |archive-date=March 13, 2018| url|access-statusdate=liveMarch 14, 2018 |publisher=Legal Information Institute |location=Cornell Law School, Ithaca, New York |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The 50 states have taken their names from a wide variety of languages. Twenty-four state names originate from [[Indigenous languages of the Americas|Native American languages]]. Of these, eight are from [[Algonquian languages]], seven are from [[Siouan languages]], three are from [[Iroquoian languages]], one is from [[Uto-Aztecan languages]] and five others are from other indigenous languages. [[Hawaii]]'s name is derived from the [[Polynesian languages|Polynesian]] [[Hawaiian language]].

There have been numerous other minor adjustments to state boundaries over the years due to improved surveys, resolution of ambiguous or disputed boundary definitions, or minor mutually agreed boundary adjustments for administrative convenience or other purposes.<ref name="StatesShapes">{{citeCite book |last= Stein |first= Mark |title= How the States Got Their Shapes |publisher=HarperCollins |year= 2008 |publisherisbn= HarperCollins9780061431395 |location= New York |isbn= 9780061431395 |pages= xvi, 334}}</ref> Occasionally, either Congress or the U.S. Supreme Court has had to settle state border disputes. One notable example is the case ''[[New Jersey v. New York]]'', in which [[New Jersey]] won roughly 90% of [[Ellis Island]] from [[New York (state)|New York]] in 1998.<ref>{{citeCite news |firstlast= LindaGreenhouse |lastfirst= GreenhouseLinda |date= May 27, 1998 |title=The Ellis Island Verdict: The Ruling; High Court Gives New Jersey Most of Ellis Island |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/27/nyregion/ellis-island-verdict-ruling-high-court-gives-new-jersey-most-ellis-island.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title= The Ellis Island Verdict: The Ruling; High Court Gives New Jersey Most of Ellis Island |work= [[The New York Times]] |accessurl-datestatus= August 2, 2012live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121115211230/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/27/nyregion/ellis-island-verdict-ruling-high-court-gives-new-jersey-most-ellis-island.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |archive-date= November 15, 2012 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveAugust 2, 2012 |dfwork=[[The New York Times]] |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

States may be grouped in regions; there are many variations and possible groupings. Many are defined in law or regulations by the federal government. For example, the United States Census Bureau defines four statistical regions, with nine divisions.<ref>{{citeCite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/reference/us_regdiv.pdf|access-date=January 10, 2013|authorlast=United States Census Bureau, Geography Division |title=Census Regions and Divisions of the United States |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/reference/us_regdiv.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125032/http://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/reference/us_regdiv.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |urlaccess-statusdate=liveJanuary 10, 2013}}</ref> The Census Bureau region definition ([[Northeastern United States|Northeast]], [[Midwest]], [[Southern United States|South]], and [[Western United States|West]]) is "widely used ... for data collection and analysis,"<ref name="NEMS">"The National Energy Modeling System: An Overview 2003" (Report #:DOE/EIA-0581, October 2009). United States Department of Energy, [[Energy Information Administration]].</ref> and is the most commonly used classification system.<ref>"The most widely used regional definitions follow those of the U.S. Bureau of the Census." Seymour Sudman and Norman M. Bradburn, ''[https://books.google.com/books?{{GBurl|id=8Ay2AAAAIAAJ}} Asking Questions: A Practical Guide to Questionnaire Design]'' (1982). [[Jossey-Bass]]: p. 205.</ref><ref>"Perhaps the most widely used regional classification system is one developed by the U.S. Census Bureau." Dale M. Lewison, ''[https://books.google.com/books?{{GBurl|id=oPUJAQAAMAAJ}} Retailing]'', [[Prentice Hall]] (1997): p. 384. {{ISBN|978-0-13-461427-4}}</ref><ref>"(M)ost demographic and food consumption data are presented in this four-region format." Pamela Goyan Kittler, Kathryn P. Sucher, ''[https://books.google.com/books?{{GBurl|id=eKdbaMY5AHEC&pg|p=PA475475}} Food and Culture]'', [[Cengage Learning]] (2008): p.475. {{ISBN|9780495115410}}</ref> Other multi-state regions are unofficial, and defined by geography or cultural affinity rather than by state lines.

* [httphttps://web.archive.org/web/20230306111157/https://www.usa.gov/Agencies/State_and_Territories.shtml "State, Local, and TerritorialTribal Governments" on USA.gov]