Federalism

Plain-English Meaning

Federalism is the division of public power between the national government and state governments. Federal powers include areas such as national defense, immigration, interstate commerce, federal taxation, and federal courts. State powers include many areas of local government, policing, public education, professional licensing, elections administration, property law, and local services. Many issues involve shared or overlapping authority, which is why the same subject can involve federal law, state law, local rules, courts, agencies, and elected officials at the same time.