| State |
Executive and Legislative |
| Alaska |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor (1959--) [under State's 1st Constitution] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE (1912--) [as both a Territory and a State] |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate (1912--) [as both a Territory and a State] |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives (1912--) [as both a Territory and a State] |
|
| Alabama |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • President of the State Senate (1819-1867) [under State's 1st and 2nd Constitutions: would merely become "acting Governor"; next in line of succession: Speaker of the State House of Representatives]
• Lieutenant Governor (1867-1875) [under State's 3rd Constitution: elected separately from GOVERNOR; next in line of succession: President pro Tempore of the State Senate]
• President of the State Senate (1875-1901) [under State's 4th Constitution: would merely become "acting Governor"; next in line of succession: Speaker of the State House of Representatives]
• Lieutenant Governor (1901--) [under State's 5th Constitution: elected separately from GOVERNOR; next in line of succession: President pro Tempore of the State Senate, then Speaker of the State House of Representatives, followed- if ever necessary- by Statewide Elected Executive Officers] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE (1817-1819) [as a Territory]
• GENERAL ASSEMBLY (1819-1901)
• LEGISLATURE (1901--) [Name changed upon the adoption of the State's 5th Constitution] |
| Upper House |
| | • Legislative Council (1817-1819) [as a Territory]
• Senate (1819--) [currently 35 Senators by DISTRICT: 4-year terms] |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives (1817--) [as both a Territory and a State]
[currently 105 Representatives by DISTRICT: 4-year terms] |
|
| Arkansas |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • President of the State Senate (1836-1864) [under State's 1st Constitution: would merely become "acting Governor"; next in line of succession: Speaker of the State House of Representatives]
• Lieutenant Governor (1864-1874) [under State's 2nd and 3rd Constitutions: elected separately from Governor; next in line of succession: President (pro Tempore) of the Senate]
• President of the State Senate (1874-1914) [under State's 4th Constitution: would merely become "acting Governor"; next in line of succession: Speaker of the State House of Representatives]
• Lieutenant Governor (1914--) [via Amendment to the State's 4th Constitution: elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY (1819--) [as both a Territory and a State] |
| Upper House |
| | • Legislative Council (1819-1836) [as a Territory]
• Senate (1836--) |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives (1819--) [as both a Territory and a State] |
|
| American Samoa |
| Chief Executive |
| | • Governor |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • Legislative Assembly (Fono) |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Arizona |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Secretary of State (1912--) [under State's 1st Constitution; next in line of sucession: State Attorney General] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (1863-1912) [as a Territory]
• LEGISLATURE (1912--) |
| Upper House |
| | • Council (1863-1912) [as a Territory]
• Senate (1912--) |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives (1863--) [as both a Territory and a State] |
|
| California |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor (1850--) [under State's 1st and 2nd Constitutions: elected separately from GOVERNOR; originally, next in line of succession: President (pro Tempore) of the State Senate, then (after State Constitutional Amendment of 1898) Speaker of the State Assembly... subsequently, the Legislature was authorized to determine a line of succession beyond the Lieutenant Governor by statute] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE (1850--) |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate (1850--) |
| Lower House |
| | • Assembly (1850--) |
|
| Colorado |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (1861-1876) [as a Territory]
• General Assembly (1876--) |
| Upper House |
| | • Council (1861-1876) [as a Territory]
• Senate (1876--) |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives (1861--) [as a Territory and a State] |
|
| Connecticut |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL COURT (1638-1818) [CONNECTICUT operated under its colonial Charter of 1662 into Statehood; until 1784, also functioned as- in effect- the "court of Last Resort".]
• GENERAL ASSEMBLY (1818--) |
| Upper House |
| | • Court of Assistants (--1784) [under the colonial Charter of 1662, also functioned as the Governor's Council (hence their name); from 1666 through 1715, also functioned as a "superior court" which tried major cases and exercised some appellate judicial jurisdiction]
• Senate (1784--) [under Connecticut's colonial Charter of 1662 (in force till 1818), this body functioned as the "Supreme Court of Errors", the highest court in the State] |
| Lower House |
| | • General Assembly (--1818) [under Connecticut's colonial Charter of 1662]
• House of Representatives (1818--) |
|
| Delaware |
| Chief Executive |
| | • PRESIDENT (1776-1792) [under the State's 1st Constitution]
• GOVERNOR (1792--) [under the State's 2nd, 3rd and 4th Constitutions] |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Speaker of the Legislative Council (1776-1792) [under State's 1st Constitution: would merely become "acting President"; next in line of succession: Speaker of the House of Assembly]
• Speaker of the State Senate (1792-1897) [under the State's 2nd and 3rd Constitutions: would merely become "acting Governor"; next in line of succession: Speaker of the State House of Representatives]
• Lieutenant Governor (1897--) [under State's 4th Constitution; next in the line of succession: Secretary of State, then Attorney General, President pro Tempore of the State Senate, Speaker of the State House of Representatives] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • [Legislative] Council (1776-1792)
• Senate (1792--) [Name changed with the adoption of the State's 2nd Constitution] |
| Lower House |
| | • [House of] Assembly (1776-1792)
• House of Representatives (1792--) [Name changed with the adoption of the State's 2nd Constitution] |
|
| Florida |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR]
• President of the State Senate [under State's 4th Constitution; next in line of succession: Speaker of the State House of Representatives]
• President of the State Senate (1845-1865) [under State's 1st Constitution; next in line of succession: Speaker of the State House of Representatives]
• Lieutenant Governor (1865-1887) [under State's 2nd and 3rd Constitutions; next in line of succession: Speaker of the State House of Representatives (1865-1868), President pro Tempore of the State Senate (1868-1887)] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • General Assembly (1845-1868) [under State's 1st and 2nd Constitutions]
• LEGISLATURE (1868--) [under State's 3rd, 4th and 5th Constitutions] |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives (1845-1868) [under State's 1st and 2nd Constitutions]
• Assembly (1868-1887) [under State's 3rd Constitution]
• House of Representatives (1887--) [under State's 4th and 5th Constitutions] |
|
| Georgia |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Guam |
| Chief Executive |
| | • Governor |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • Legislature |
|
| Hawaii |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [Elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; nominated separately from Governor] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Iowa |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Idaho |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Illinois |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; nominated separately from Governor] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Indiana |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; next in line of succession: President pro Tempore of the State Senate (1816-1851)] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Kansas |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; nominated with Governor as well] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Kentucky |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; nominated with Governor as well] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Louisiana |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Massachusetts |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL COURT |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Maryland |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Delegates |
|
| Maine |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • President of the State Senate |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Michigan |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [Nominated by convention separately from the gubernatorial primary; elected on same ticket with Governor.] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Minnesota |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; nominated with Governor as well] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Missouri |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Northern Marianas |
| Chief Executive |
| | • Governor |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • Legislature |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Mississippi |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Montana |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; nominated separately from Governor] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| North Carolina |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| North Dakota |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Nebraska |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Unicameral |
| | • Legislature |
|
| New Hampshire |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • President of the State Senate |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL COURT |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| New Jersey |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • President of the State Senate (--2009) [becomes "acting Governor" only and must remain a member of the State Senate in order to hold such position; next in the line of succession is the Speaker of the State General Assembly. NEW JERSEY has no Lieutenant Governor]
• Lieutenant Governor (2009--) |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • General Assembly |
|
| New Mexico |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; nominated separately from Governor] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Nevada |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • Assembly |
|
| New York |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; nominated separately from Governor] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • Assembly |
|
| Ohio |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; nominated with Governor as well] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Oklahoma |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Oregon |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Secretary of State |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Pennsylvania |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Puerto Rico |
| Chief Executive |
| | • Governor |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • Legislative Assembly |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • Chamber of Representatives |
|
| Rhode Island |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| South Carolina |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| South Dakota |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR; nominated with Governor as well] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Tennessee |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Speaker of the State Senate |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Texas |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Utah |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Virginia |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Delegates |
|
| Virgin Islands |
| Chief Executive |
| | • Governor |
| |
| Unicameral |
| | • Senate |
|
| Vermont |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Washington |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected separately from GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|
| Wisconsin |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Lieutenant Governor [elected on same ticket with GOVERNOR] |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • Assembly |
|
| West Virginia |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • President of the State Senate |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Delegates |
|
| Wyoming |
| Chief Executive |
| | • GOVERNOR |
| Successor to a Vacancy |
| | • Secretary of State |
| |
| Legislature |
| | • LEGISLATURE |
| Upper House |
| | • Senate |
| Lower House |
| | • House of Representatives |
|