Allentown is located in Lehigh County, and operates as a third-class city code of Pennsylvania with the strong Mayor-City Council form of government wherein the mayor serves as chief executive and administrative officer for the municipality and City Council serves as the legislative and oversight body providing checks and balances on the system. A Home Rule charter adopted by the voters in 1996 assigns the rights and responsibilities of each elected official and provides for citizen input on ordinances through a process of initiative and referendum.