The U.S. Constitution provides for several state roles in national government:
- Amending the Constitution: ratification of amendments requires approval from 3/4 of states
- House of Representatives: states are responsible for electing representatives to make decisions on behalf of their constituents in the House of Representatives (representation is based on population)
- Senate: states are responsible for electing representatives to make decisions on behalf of the state in the Senate (every state has two senators)
- Electoral College: states are responsible for choosing electors; each elector casts one vote for president following the general election (the number of electors each state gets is equal to its representation in the House of Representatives and the Senate)