The Venetian state was always an ad hoc construct, and institutions came and went at the convenience of the ruling elite.
“CONCIONE” from the Lessico Veneto (1851) by Fabio Mutinelli, translated by René Seindal.
The Consiglio Maggiore – or the Great Council – was the highest authority of the Venetian Republic. It was not, however, an elected body. It was the entire electorate.
The doge was the elected head of the Venetian Republic. He was elected for life by an arcane process that also included drawing lots.