Georgeland has seven states, each of which exists as an autonomous, self-governed political entity in its own right. The federal government of Georgeland has no authority to override a state law, unless the Constitution of Georgeland gives it the power to do so. Each state has its own elected government with a broad range of domestic powers, though foreign affairs, most trade and the national economy are strictly controlled by the federal government.
History of Statehood
The First Five (1891)
When Georgeland became independent from the UK in 1891, each island that made up the country was granted self-rule as a state. Scoita, Bradmarch, Mainland, Long Island and Capitalia each became the constituent five states of the new republic. The Constitution mandates that each of these original states recieves the exact same number of Senators.
Delmago Island (1958)
In 1958, the small territory of Delmago Island was granted statehood as part of a scheme by Prime Minister Nathan Keegan to regain control of the Senate. Unlike the original five states, there was and is no law requiring new states to recieve equal Senate representation. Because of Delmago Island's small size, it was granted five Senators rather than the ten held by the other states.
Mainland Subdivision (2000)
In January 2000, the voters of Mainland elected to subdivide their state into East Mainland and West Mainland. The Supreme Court of Georgeland ruled that each of the new states was entitled under the Constitution to the full number of Senators.
State Governments
Each State has a Governor to function as the titular executive authority. In most states, the Governor is little more than a figurehead, but in Scoita the Governor holds considerable power and influence. Every state but Delmago Island has a popularly elected Governor - the Governor of Delmago Island is chosen by the state legislature.
Every state has a Chief Minister who functions as the state's head of government. In all states, the Chief Minister heads a cabinet and is responsible to the legislature, much as is the case in the federal system.
Every state has a unicameral legislature - originally, Scoita and Mainland had upper houses, but these were abolished in 1915 and 1935 respectively. Most states use a simple, First Past the Post system to elect their legislature. This has historically resulted in one of two extremes on numerous occasions. It is common for a state government to hold no majority in its legislature or a massive one. The states of Bradmarch, Capitalia and Long Island now use a proportional system to elect their legislatures.
The Liberal Democratic Party of the United Islands currently governs the states of Bradmarch, Capitalia and Long Island, while the Conservative Party of Georgeland governs Delmago Island, East Mainland, Scoita and West Mainland.