Methods of Election

Twenty-seven (27) states have team elections for governor and lieutenant governor in the general election.

• In six (6) states, the lieutenant governor candidate runs in a separate primary, but then runs on a joint ticket with the gubernatorial candidate in the general election: Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts,  New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. (Gray in map below.)

• In three (3) states, the lieutenant governor candidate is chosen through a party convention process, and then runs on a joint ticket with the gubernatorial candidate in the general election (Indiana, Iowa, Michigan). (Pink in map below.)

• In the remaining eighteen (18) states, the lieutenant governor candidate runs on a joint ticket in the general election as selected by the gubernatorial candidate. (Dark blue on map below.)

Seventeen (17) states elect the governor and lieutenant governor separately in the general election which may result in the governor and lieutenant governor being of different political parties.  (Medium blue in map below.)

In two (2) states (Wyoming and Oregon), the gubernatorial successor is Secretary of State, an independently elected statewide official. (Light blue in map below.)

Four (4) states have senate presidents as gubernatorial successor (Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and West Virginia). Tennessee and West Virginia confer the title “Lieutenant Governor” to the senate president, selected by members of the state senate, in acknowledgement of the president’s succession responsibility. (Red in map below.)

In four (4) territories (American Samoa, Guam, N. Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), there are team elections for governor and lieutenant governor. In Puerto Rico, the secretary of state is next in line for succession to governor and is appointed.