New Hampshire has 10 counties (2002), each governed by three commissioners. Other elected county officials include the sheriff, attorney, treasurer, registrar of deeds, and registrar of probate.
As of 2002, New Hampshire also had 13 municipalities and 221 townships, 167 public school districts, and 148 special districts. Most municipalities have elected mayors and councils. Some municipal charters provide for the council-manager or commission system of government. The basic unit of town government is the traditional town meeting, held once a year, when selectmen and other local officials are chosen.