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The three branches of government

Government power is split into three branches so no single person or group holds it all. Each has a different job, and each can limit the others. Here's the short version, plus how it looks in Puerto Rico.

Heads up: government offices change

The offices under each branch can change with every new administration, and some can be reorganized or shut down suddenly within a single term.

If you spot an office listed here that has closed or changed but is still showing, please let me know so I can update it.

List last updated: August 16, 2026

Legislative branch

Makes the laws

Writes, debates, and passes bills, and sets the government's budget. It decides what the rules are and how public money is spent.

In Puerto Rico: the Legislative Assembly (the Senate and the House of Representatives), headed by their respective presiding officers, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

Senate of Puerto RicoHouse of RepresentativesOffice of Legislative ServicesOffice of the Comptroller of Puerto RicoSuperintendence of the Capitol

Executive branch

Carries out the laws

Runs the day-to-day government and enforces the laws the legislature passes. It heads the departments and public corporations that deliver public services.

In Puerto Rico: the Governor heads the executive branch, leading its departments and agencies (like the AAA water utility and the Department of Education).

See all executive offices →

Judicial branch

Interprets the laws

Settles disputes and decides what the laws mean when they're unclear or challenged. It can strike down laws or actions that violate the constitution.

In Puerto Rico: the courts, from the trial level up to the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, headed by the Chief Justice.

Supreme Court of Puerto RicoCourt of AppealsCourt of First InstanceOffice of Courts Administration (OAT)

Why it's split this way

The branches are meant to check and balance each other: the legislature writes the law, the executive carries it out, and the courts can rule that a law or action is unconstitutional. When one branch oversteps, the other two are the brakes, which is exactly why watching all three matters.