Overview

The Governor plays an important role in Texas' elections. This includes ordering elections and appointing the Secretary of State to oversee state elections. The Governor also has a key role in filling vacancies. During elections, the Governor conducts the statewide canvass for state, federal, and district offices and statewide ballot measures but does not canvass their own office or the Lieutenant Governor.

Election-Related Duties

The key election duties of the Governor are:

1. Appointing the Secretary of State, subject to approval by the State Senate. Tex. Const. Art. IV, § 21.
2. Ordering, pro forma, elections for federal, state, and county offices, as well as proposed constitutional amendments, for every election cycle. Tex. Elec. Code § 3.003(a)(1)-(2).
3. Ordering a special election to fill the seat when a vacancy occurs in the legislature or U.S. Congress. Tex. Elec. Code § 3.003(a)(3).
4. Determining whether an emergency warrants holding an election before or after the statutorily defined election day, and issuing such a proclamation. Tex. Elec. Code § 41.0011.
5. Acting as the "final canvassing authority" and conducting the state canvass of election results for statewide offices (excluding the Governor or Lieutenant Governor), district offices, the president, and statewide ballot measures. Tex. Elec. Code § 67.010(a), (b).
6. Certifying the tabulations of election results for state, federal, and district offices excluding the Governor and Lt Governor. Tex. Elec. Code §§ 67.013(d), 67.016(b).
7. Preparing and issuing certificates of election to each winning candidate for the offices they canvass. Tex. Elec. Code § 67.016(b).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• Current Office Holder: Greg Abbott (2015–)
• **Elected: ****The Governor is elected by the voters of Texas to a four-year term. Tex. Const. Art. IV, §§ 2, 4.
• Term Limits: The Governor is not term limited. Tex. Const. Art. IV, § 4.
• Next Election: The next Texas gubernatorial election is November 3, 2026.
• Qualifications: To be eligible to serve as Governor, one must be at least 30 years old, an American citizen, and have resided in Texas at least five years immediately preceding the election. Tex. Const. Art. IV, § 4.
• Vacancy: **In the event of the Governor's death, resignation, removal from office, or permanent disability to discharge the duties of the office the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the remainder of the term. Tex. Const. Art. IV, § 16(c)-(d).