Lieutenant Governor of California: Duties and Responsibilities

Overview

The Lieutenant Governor of California is the second-highest elected official in the state, after the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the California State Senate and serves as the Governor's successor if the Governor is unable to serve.

Duties

• Presiding over the State Senate: The Lieutenant Governor presides over the State Senate, which has 40 members. The Lieutenant Governor's main role in the Senate is to maintain order and ensure that the Senate's rules are followed.
• Succession to the Governorship: In the event that the Governor is unable to serve, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the Governor. This can happen if the Governor dies, resigns, or is impeached.
• Other duties: The Lieutenant Governor also serves on the California State Lands Commission, the California Transportation Commission, and the California Coastal Commission.

Qualifications

To be eligible to serve as Lieutenant Governor of California, a person must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of California for at least five years.

Election

The Lieutenant Governor of California is elected on the same ballot as the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor and Governor run as a team, and they are elected by a plurality of the vote. This means that the team with the most votes wins, even if they do not receive a majority of the vote.

Term of Office

The Lieutenant Governor of California serves a four-year term. There is no limit to the number of terms that a Lieutenant Governor can serve.