9.2: The Executive Branch

The Plural Executive

The responsibility of the executive branch is to implement the law. Instead of just one person elected as the Chief Executive, Californians elect the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the Board of Equalization, the Insurance Commissioner, the Secretary of State, the State Controller, the State Treasurer, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Like all other California statewide elections (except for the US President), these officials attain their positions through the “top-two” primary system. Regardless of party, the top two candidates from the primary election are in a runoff election in the general election. Officeholders are limited to two terms as established by Proposition 140 (1990). Table 9.2.1 describes the role of each office of California’s plural executive. This organizational chart from the Governor’s office provides an overview of the executive branch.

Table \(\PageIndex{1}\):The Plural Executive

Office	Role
Governor	Head of Government
Lieutenant Governor	Substitute for Governor and President of the State Senate
State Superintendent of Public Instruction	Oversees California K-12 school districts
Insurance Commissioner	Regulates insurance rates and services
Secretary of State	Oversees elections, manages legal and business records
Attorney General	Chief Law enforcement officer
State Controller	Manages tax collections and writes checks for the state
State Treasurer	Invests state funds
Board of Equalization	Ensures uniform taxation of property (four members from four districts, and the State Controller is the fifth officeholder)

(Source: California Executive Branch Organizational Chart)