Which of the following best describes a written law enacted by legislatures?

The best description of a written law enacted by legislatures is a statute. Statutes are formal laws passed by legislative bodies at local, state, or federal levels. These laws are written and codified into legal codes, specifying the legal standards and obligations that must be followed by individuals and entities within their jurisdiction.

Ordinances refer to laws enacted by municipal authorities or local government agencies and thus may not encompass the broader legislative scope of statutes. Regulations are rules made by governmental agencies based on statutes, providing details on how statutes will be implemented and enforced. Precedents refer to legal principles established in previous court cases that guide future court decisions, rather than laws passed by legislative bodies. Thus, the distinctive role of statutes as formal written laws makes it the correct answer.