The Judicial Branch

The Wisconsin Court System is comprised of trial courts, called circuit courts, and two levels of appellate courts. There are approximately 250 circuit court judges in the state. If someone is unsatisfied with a circuit court’s decision, he or she may appeal to an appellate court.
Wisconsin’s two levels of appellate courts are the Court of Appeals, organized into four districts (16 judges), and the Supreme Court (seven justices). The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court.

Wisconsin statutes also allow municipalities to create their own courts to handle municipal ordinance violations. There are approximately 240 municipal courts in Wisconsin. A decision of a municipal court may be appealed to the circuit court.

Two of the judicial branch’s checks over the Legislature are its powers to decide the constitutionality of legislative enactments and to address conflicts between local, state, and federal laws.

The Executive Branch

Most of Wisconsin’s executive branch is headed by the Governor, who is the state’s chief executive. In addition to the Governor, the Wisconsin Constitution provides for the election of five other “constitutional officers”: Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Currently, there are approximately 30 State of Wisconsin departments and independent agencies, commonly referred to together as “state agencies.” There are also special committees, boards, commissions, and councils in the executive branch that have been created by statute or by the Governor that are designed to address specific issues.

The executive branch’s core powers are to execute and administer laws, programs, and policies created by the Legislature. Most of the state agencies are empowered to promulgate administrative rules in order to execute their duties.

One of the executive branch’s checks over the Legislature is the power of the Governor to approve or veto legislation. The Governor has six days (excluding Sunday) to approve or disapprove legislation that has been presented to him or her. Vetoed legislation is returned to the legislative house of origin with the Governor’s objections. A two-thirds vote by each house is required to override a veto. The Governor may partially veto a bill only if it is an appropriations bill, and if what remains is a complete and workable law and other requirements are met. [Wis. Const. art. V, s. 10.]