Government Pennsylvania counties are divided into nine classifications based on population. Bucks became a Class 2A County after the 1990 census, because its official population exceeded 500,000. The population in 1998 was estimated at 590,950. The County is governed by three elected Commissioners, who serve four-year terms.
State law calls for the election of the three candidates who receive the greatest countywide vote.
This normally results in the election of two representatives of the majority political party and one from the minority party. Other County elected officials are the Row Officers. The Divisions consist of groups of departments that deliver similar types of services to the public. The tables below indicate how that money is allocated and raised. The President Judge and elected Row Officers serve as members of the Salary Board when voting on hirings and salaries of employees in their specific offices.