Elan is a federal republic, more specifically a dual executive republic. It is made up of six provinces, each its own administrative division. Each province has principles of autonomy as defined by the Republican Constitution of Elan, created and ratified in 1770. Because Elan is not a unitary state, the national government cannot revoke the powers of the provinces. The provinces by and large have more power over their citizens than the national government (though many provincial governments attempt to work together to create similar laws in favor of common interests).
Recently, there has been greater volumes of legislation passed allowing the federal government more power. Aside from creating more national laws, the push for more federal authority has resulted in national standards of goods, collective judgment over disputes between provinces, and required adherence to certain professional requirements.
Currently there are six main political parties (though others are cropping up often):
The Sectionalists: favor greater powers given to the provinces and staunchly anti-national government, especially in decisions of law, trade, profession, and provincial defense.
The Maxinationals: favor a unitary state form of government and centralized power, especially in decisions of law, trade, profession, and national defense.
The Friedals: favor free market capitalism and nationalized charitable works for those who are unable to engage in labor or commerce.
The Keynesics: favor more federal oversight of the economy and nationalized sections of industries that oversee basic human needs (food, housing, labor).
The Orthocrats: support greater judiciary oversight in government and greater power given to judicial council members of both the national and provincial governments.
The Dentropluts: support greater legislative power being given to the people of Elan, specifically pushing for more legislation through popular vote than through representatives voting.
Elections are held every eight years for the president and secretary. Each is elected separately but together form the heads of state. The secretary tends to have less power than the president, but for certain matters they must be in agreement or else the executive branch cannot exercise its power.
Current President: Kathryn Talbot
Current Secretary: Holden Earp
The prime minister is elected by the parliament every six years. Parliament members are elected every four years. Each province has four representatives in parliament and they are chosen by the province, either through popular vote or the choice of the elected head of the provincial government.
Current Prime Minister: Clive Pickering
A collection of seven judges form the supreme court of Elan: one from each province, selected by that province’s provincial government, and then an additional one elected by the parliament. Each judge serves for ten years unless they retire or die in office.
Each provincial government is made up of an executive, legislative, and judicial branch. The term limits are the same for each as above. The judicial branch usually is made up of 3 judges and the provincial legislative branch, called a provincial council, is made up of 5 councilors per quadrant of a province. Abernathy is the only province to have five quadrants as Bailey Island demanded its own representation. The executive branch is headed by a premier.
Abernathy: Ethel Tennyson
Gauld: Roscoe Harrison
Huxley: Benji Farris-Walsh
Killock: Gaetha Laine
Peverin: Alanna Highdell
Wyllis: Durn Quayle
Thorpe Territory currently does not have a premier.
Local governments (cities, towns, and villages) can have varying positions of authority based on their history and the dates they were founded. The most common makeup is a mayor, clerk, a council, a law commissioner or sheriff, a high judge, and several heads of required departments (overseers and public works officials). At the county level, there would be a supervisor, treasurer, clerk, and various assessors and commissioners. Most large counties (or even some specific cities) would have positions such as fire chiefs, superintendents, treasurers, and coroners.