Overview

Despite being the chief of the executive branch, the Governor plays a limited role in the vote counting and election certification processes in Georgia. Ga. Const. Art. V, § II, Para. I. The Governor is only involved directly in certification in the case of Presidential Electors. Additionally, the Governor issues commissions for various elected offices after certification is complete. They are responsible for appointing a new Secretary of State or Attorney General in the case of a vacancy. Ga. Const. Art. V, § II, Para. VIII.

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Governor are:

1. Certifying slates of Presidential Electors. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-499(b).
2. Issuing proclamations declaring the results of constitutional amendments. O.C.G.A. § 21‑2‑502(f); see also O.C.G.A. § 21-2-497(a)(4)(C).
3. Issuing certificates of election and commissions. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-502.
4. Filling a vacancy of the Secretary of State or Attorney General. Ga. Const. Art. V, § II, Para. VIII.
5. Being one of five individuals [1] to vote on which race, in addition to the one at the top of a ballot, will be subject to a risk limiting audit. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-498(d).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• Elected: The Governor is elected statewide every four years. Ga. Const. Art. V, § I, Para. I.

• Term of Office: The Governor serves a four-year term, with the ability to be elected to a second consecutive term. After the second consecutive term, the individual is ineligible to run for Governor “until after the expiration of four years from the conclusion of their term as Governor.” Ga. Const. Art. V, § I, Para. I.

• Next Election: The next gubernatorial election will take place in 2026.

• Qualifications: Candidates must be at least 30 years old by the time they would assume office, have been a citizen of the United States for at least 15 years, and be a legal resident of Georgia for the six years preceding the election. Ga. Const. Art. V, § I, Para. IV.

• Vacancy:

  • Temporary vacancy (e.g., temporary disability): The Lieutenant Governor exercises the powers and duties of the Governor for the duration of the vacancy. Ga. Const. Art. V, § I, Para. V(a).
  • Permanent vacancy (e.g., death, resignation, etc.): The Lieutenant Governor, or Lieutenant Governor-elect upon becoming the Lieutenant Governor, will serve until a successor is elected at the next general election. [2] Under these circumstances, no person is “elected or appointed to the office of Lieutenant Governor for the unexpired term in the event the Lieutenant Governor [becomes] Governor.” Ga. Const. Art. V, § I, Para. V(b).
  • Permanent vacancy of both Governor (or Governor-elect) and Lieutenant Governor (or Lieutenant Governor-elect): The Speaker of the House of Representatives will exercise the powers and duties of the Governor until a new Governor is elected in a special election. This special election must be held within 90 days from when the Speaker assumed the powers and duties of the Governor, and the newly elected Governor will serve out the remainder of the original, unexpired term. Ga. Const. Art. V, § I, Para. V(c).

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  Footnotes