Orange County operates under a statutory form of government, with a charter that serves as a constitution and details the structure and functioning of local government. The Charter Review Commission has the power to consider amendments and include them on the ballot for voters to decide whether to accept or reject. If approved, the amendment is inserted into the charter. Orange County remains one of the most important electoral counties in the nation, with at least two districts that are still very competitive.
This has caused friction in the Orange County Republican Party, as leaders have tried to reduce the field. The county is governed by five supervisors who are elected by district for four-year terms with a two-term limit. The Orange County Municipal Water District (MWDOC) is responsible for managing the water supply for all municipalities in Orange County, except Anaheim, Fullerton and Santa Ana. The town of Rock Spring in Orange County contains Pleistocene fossils and has produced a wide variety of birds and mammals, including the giant sloth, mammoth, camel and wolf, which date back about 1.1 million years ago.
The mayor oversees public safety operations for residents and visitors, as well as budget allocations for the Orange County Public Library System, Sheriff's Office and other constitutional offices. Orange County is located along the crucial Interstate 4 corridor, an undecided region in one of the most critical states in the country. The district oversees water quality testing, reuse and research in the Santa Ana River, Orange County groundwater basin and Groundwater Supply System. The Orange County Board of Education is a five-member board responsible for overseeing academic performance and policies in the county's school districts. District 9 encompasses all of Osceola County, eastern Polk County and east and south-central Orange County.
The Orange County Water District (OCWD) manages the water supply for Anaheim, Fullerton and Santa Ana. The Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors is a five-member board responsible for establishing water policy for central Orange County. The members of the Orange County Board of Commissioners are independently elected from six districts and serve in legislative functions.
