Snowfall is greater in the northern inland sections. Piscataquis County was established in 1838 and is Maine's oldest county. The Legislature meets annually in regular session. Each regular session is subject to up to two five-day extensions and a veto day. The Legislature may be convened at other times by the Governor and may be convened on call of the presiding officers of both branches with the consent of a majority of the members of the Legislature of each political party.
Parliamentary procedure resembles that in use throughout the country.
Maine is one of three states in the Union to use the joint standing committee system. The Governor, with chief executive powers, is popularly elected at the general election and is limited to two consecutive four-year terms of office. The Secretary of State, Treasurer of State and Attorney General are each elected to two-year terms and are limited to four consecutive terms. They are elected by joint ballot of the State Senators and Representatives in convention. The court system operates on three levels - the first being the Supreme Judicial Court and the second being the Superior Court.