Erie County is governed by a Home Rule Charter, which outlines the duties and responsibilities of county government.
The Erie County Home Rule Charter, adopted by voters in a 1976 referendum, replaced the former commissioner system of county government with the current executive-legislative structure.
The Home Rule Charter, which went into effect January 1, 1978, is the basic law of the county. It distinguishes powers and functions of each branch of county government and also sets forth county government’s responsibility to provide for the health, safety and well-being of all county residents.