What is a state in the United States?
Q: What is a state in the United States?
A: A state in the United States is a political entity. There are currently 50 of them, and they are bound together in a federation. Each has its own government and can make laws over a particular area that the state covers. All states have shared sovereignty with the U.S. federal government.
Q: Who are citizens of both the United States and their respective states?
A: People who were born or naturalized in states are citizens of both the United States and the state they are in.
Q: Are people allowed to move between states without asking permission?
A: Yes, people can move between states without asking or saying so, unless a court has said they can't.
Q: How many "commonwealths" exist within the US?
A: Four states call themselves "commonwealths" in their official names.
Q: Is Washington D.C., considered to be a state?
A: No, Washington D.C., is not considered to be a state nor part of any other state; it is instead classified as a federal district under US law.
Q: Do counties have sovereign authority within each respective state?
A: No, counties do not have sovereign authority within each respective state; most give them some government authority while others give them none at all.
Q: Where does State governments get their power from?
A: State governments get their power from the people of that particular state through representation in Congress (Senate & House) as well as through electors chosen for voting in Electoral College which elects President of US every four years..
