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Chartered local government

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A chartered city, county, or municipality is one that possesses a unique set of laws that forms the legal foundation of its local system of government. The legal document that articulates these laws is called a charter. Charters act in relation to a county, city, village, or town the same way that a state constitution acts in relation to a state or a federal constitution acts in relation to a nation. They define the powers and functions of elected officials as well as the organization and procedures of local government.[1][2]

Where do charters come from?

Charters can be granted by a state legislature or through a referendum vote passed by the affected population. The way a charter is granted and the way it is implemented varies by state.[2]

Charter ordinances

A charter ordinance is a concept used by states such as Kansas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming to grant home rule powers to municipalities. Instead of having a broad municipal charter document, the municipality may adopt specific charter ordinances that differ from certain state statutes or local acts of the state legislature.[3][4][5]

See also

Ballotpedia:Index of Terms

Footnotes