As stated in New Hampshire’s Constitution, "The supreme legislative power, within this state, shall be vested in the senate and house of representatives, each of which shall have a negative on the other." The senate and house combine to form the general court. In accordance with a 1984 Amendment, the general court meets in annual sessions. It has power to establish courts, make laws, elect officers, define their powers and duties, impose fines and assess taxes. It is, however not permitted to authorize any town to loan or give its money or credit to any corporation.

The number of representatives in the house, chosen based on district, is never less than three hundred seventy-five or more than four hundred. Representatives are chosen by ballot each March. The house of representatives chooses their own speaker, appoints their own officers, and settles the rules of proceedings in their own house; and judge of the returns, elections, and qualifications of its members. 

The senate consists of twenty-four members who are elected for two-year terms. Senators must be thirty years old, an inhabitant of this state for seven years immediately preceding his election. And so the state would be equally represented in the senate, the legislature divided the state into single-member districts, nearly equal in population. The senate is the final judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications, of its own members. The senate has power to adjourn themselves. The senate appoints their president and other officers, and determine their own rules of proceedings. It is in charge of hearing, trying, and determining all impeachments made by the house of representatives against any officer of the state.

The executive branch includes the governor, and his five-person elected council who are his advisors, and share in his powers. Similar to senators, no person may run for election unless he is an inhabitant of the state for seven years and is thirty years old. Both the governor and his council are elected every two years, and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve. The governor is the supreme executive power. He is responsible for the faithful execution of the laws. 

The governor has many powers and limitations, as set down in the Constitution. He has a right to adjourn or call together the General Court. Every bill which passes both houses of the general court, before it becomes a law, is presented to the governor. He has the power to return it with his objections. In this case, the bill can only become a law if both the house and the senate reconsider it and the objections of the governor and then two-thirds of both agree to pass the bill. All judicial officers, the attorney general, all officers of the navy, as well as general and field officers of the militia are appointed by the governor and council. The governor is the commander-in-chief of all the military forces of the state. He also has the power of pardoning offenses for convicted criminals. 

If the Governor becomes unable to do his job, and the office becomes vacant, the President of the Senate will act as Governor. If the President is unable, the role is handed down to the Speaker of the House. 

The secretary and treasurer are chosen by joint ballot of the senators and representatives. The records of the state are kept in the office of the secretary, and he attends all government meeting to record developments. The secretary appoints a deputy to be his backup.

State agencies work under the direction of the Governor. The heads of the agencies are appointed by the Governor and Council but because of their terms of office, they may work under a different Governor and Council than the one that appointed them. The functions of the agencies are defined by the laws passed by the legislature and by executive order of the Governor. The responsibilities of state agencies include public health and safety, education, cultural affairs, environmental protection and economic development. 

The Judicial Branch is the court system of the state. The courts interpret the laws passed by the legislature. The New Hampshire Court System consists of the State Supreme Court, Superior Court, Municipal and District Courts and Small Claims and Juvenile Courts, respectively in levels of importance from greatest to least. The chief justice of the supreme court is the administrative head of all the courts. He, with consent of a majority of the supreme court justices, makes rules regarding the way all courts in the state should be run. Any branch of legislature may ask the opinions of justices concerning important law considerations. 

Specific judges and courts are in charge of marriage, divorce and alimony as well as probates and granting letters. The governor and council appoint the judges of the higher courts, as well as the justices of the probate and municipal courts. They serve until they retire, reach the age of 70 or are removed for good cause. 

Under the leadership of the governor, Jean Shaheen, New Hampshire is thriving. Her counselors are Raymond S. Burton, Peter J. Spaulding, Ruth L. Griffin, Thomas Colantuono, and Bernard A. Streeter Jr. The current U.S. senators representing the state are Judd Gregg and Bob Smith. The New Hampshire representatives in Congress are John E. Sununu and Charles Bass. The Attorney General is Philip T. McLaughlin.