Know your way around
Government isn't one giant thing. Different offices have different jobs, different powers and different ways you can reach them.
You don't need to memorize all of this. Think of this page as a map you can come back to when you need it.
The short version
Local government
Local government is where a lot of everyday government actually happens.
Depending on where you live, your city may handle things such as streets, zoning, development, parks, utilities, public safety and other local services.
Your city may have a mayor, city council and administrative departments.
Find local government resourcesCounties provide a different set of services and responsibilities. Depending on where you live, these can include elections, courts, public health, records, behavioral health, roads and other services.
County government can matter even when you don't live inside a city.
Find county resourcesA problem can involve a city, county, school district, special district, state agency or something else entirely. Start with what happened. Then figure out who has the authority to do something about it.
State government
Oregon's state government has three branches. The Legislature makes laws, the executive branch carries them out, and the courts interpret and apply the law.
The House is one chamber of Oregon's Legislature. Its members are elected from House districts.
Your House member is the person to contact when you want your state representative to know about an issue, when you need help navigating a state matter, or when you want to follow legislation moving through the House.
The Senate is the other chamber of Oregon's Legislature. Its members are elected from Senate districts.
Your state senator participates in legislation, committees, votes and other legislative work.
The governor leads Oregon's executive branch and has responsibilities that include signing or vetoing bills, administering state government and making appointments.
The governor is not the person who writes every state law. The Legislature is responsible for legislation.
Oregon has agencies and departments that administer programs and provide services.
If you're dealing with a state program, the agency administering that program may be the place to start. If the agency cannot resolve the problem, your elected representatives may be able to help you navigate it.
Oregon Legislature
Federal government
Federal government covers the country as a whole. Congress makes federal law, the executive branch carries it out, and the federal courts interpret and apply federal law.
Your member of the U.S. House represents your congressional district in Congress.
Members work on federal legislation, serve on committees, vote on bills and can help constituents navigate certain federal matters.
Every state has two U.S. senators. They represent the entire state rather than a congressional district.
Senators participate in federal legislation, committees, confirmations and other Senate business.
The president leads the federal executive branch and has responsibilities that include signing or vetoing legislation and directing federal agencies.
The president does not replace Congress. Federal laws generally begin as legislation that must pass Congress before reaching the president.
Federal agencies administer programs, enforce laws, provide services and carry out responsibilities assigned to them by law.
If your problem involves a federal program, the agency responsible for that program may be the right place to begin.
An important distinction
Elections change who holds an office. The office itself continues to exist.
That's why Oregonizers will organize information around the office first and the current occupant second.
A permanent part of Oregon's government.
This information can change after an election, appointment or vacancy.
The same principle applies to contact information, committee assignments, social accounts and other details attached to a particular person.
Still not sure?
If you know your address, start by finding your legislators. If you know the problem but not the government office, start with the problem instead.