A constitutional provision requires the total membership in the assembly be expanded, if necessary, to increase minority representation whenever one party controls more than two-thirds of the seats. A resident commissioner, who serves as the island's sole delegate to the U.S. Congress, holds limited powers as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Executive authority is vested in a governor.
The island is divided into 78 municipalities, each administered by a mayor and municipal assembly. The governor holds nomination power over executive branch and public corporation leadership positions, under a highly centralized structure. The constitution vests judicial power in the Puerto Rico Supreme Court, and such lower courts as may be established by law. Members of the judicial branch are nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Decisions rendered by municipal, district, and superior courts may be appealed, until they reach the Commonwealth Supreme Court composed of seven justices.