MCB-NAACP Civics 101
"Who Represents You? Start Here"
What This Page is For ?
This page helps you learn who makes decisions about your life, your neighborhood, and your future—from the President to your local school board. Knowing who represents you helps you speak up and make change happen.
Use this guide to understand what each level of government does—and how to find out who
represents you.
Federal Government
Key Roles:
- President – Leads the country and makes big decisions about laws, war, and money.
- U.S. Senators – Represent the whole state of Arizona in Congress.
- U.S. Representatives – Speak for your district in Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Why It Matters: These leaders vote on federal laws that impact health care, education funding, Social Security, and more.
Learn more and find your representatives:
"Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Arizona State Government
Learn more and find your legislative district:
https://azredistricting.org/districtlocator
Why It Matters:
State laws impact voting, education, housing, and safety in your daily life.
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​- State Senators & State Representatives – Create laws for Arizona on schools, roads, jobs, and more.
- Corporation Commissioners – Regulate utilities like electricity, gas, and water.
- State Mine Inspector – Inspects and ensures safety in Arizona’s mines.
- Superintendent of Public Instruction​ – Oversees public education in Arizona.
- State Treasurer – Manages the state’s money and investments.
​- Attorney General – Top legal officer who represents the state in legal matters.
- Secretary of State – Manages elections and keeps official state records.
- Governor – Leads the state and signs state laws.
Key Roles:
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- Governor – Leads the state and signs state laws.
- State Senators & State Representatives – Create laws for Arizona on schools, roads, jobs, and more.
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Why It Matters:
State laws impact voting, education, housing, and safety in your daily life.
Learn more and find your legislative district:
Maricopa County
Key Roles:
- Board of Supervisors – Makes decisions about county services like jails, parks, elections, and public health.
- County Attorney – Oversees legal cases and prosecutes crimes.
- Sheriff – Runs the county jail and enforces the law.
- Recorder – Manages elections and voter registration.
- County School Superintendent – Oversees education services and support for school
districts across the county.
- Assessor & Treasurer – Handle property taxes and property records.
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Why It Matters:
These officials decide how your tax dollars are spent and how elections are
run in Maricopa County.
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Learn more:
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City of Phoenix
Key Roles:
- Mayor – Leads the city and helps make the budget.
- City Council Members – Vote on city laws and services like roads, trash pickup, and police.
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Why It Matters:
City leaders decide what happens in your neighborhood—parks, traffic,
housing, and more.
Learn more and find your council district:
School Board
Key Roles:
- School Board Members – Make decisions about your local public schools, including budgets, rules, and curriculum.
Why It Matters: They decide how your schools are run and what resources students, teachers, and staff get.
Find your school district:
Or check your local district map:
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Want to Know Who Represents You?
Use this tool to find your elected officials at every level:
Final Word
Understanding government doesn’t have to be hard. The more you know, the more power you have to make your voice heard.
“When we know better, we do better.” – NAACP