§1595 Vacancy in Office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor

Summary

When the Governor is temporarily sick or away, the Lieutenant Governor must use the Governor’s powers. If the Governor dies, quits, is removed by recall, is permanently disabled, or otherwise leaves office, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor and serves the rest of the term and until a successor is elected and qualified at the next regular Governor election. If the Lieutenant Governor is temporarily sick or away, or is acting as Governor, the president of the legislature acts as Lieutenant Governor. If the Lieutenant Governor permanently leaves office for reasons like death, resignation, permanent disability, or because they became Governor, the Governor appoints a new Lieutenant Governor with the legislature’s approval to serve the rest of the term and until a successor is elected. If both top offices are temporarily vacant, local law says who acts as Governor; if both are permanently vacant, local law says how to fill the Governor’s office. No extra pay is given to someone who only acts in the role but does not formally become Governor or Lieutenant Governor.