Governor of Mississippi
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Current officer
The 64th and current governor is Haley Barbour, a Republican elected in 2003 and 2007. He is prevented, by term limits, from running for a third term in office.
Authority
The state Constitution addresses the office of the governor in Article V, the Executive Department.
Under Article V, Section I:
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The chief executive power of this state shall be vested in a Governor... |
Qualifications
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The term of office of the governor of Mississippi is four years. The fee for party candidates is $300 made payable to the appropriate state party executive committee. There is no fee for independent candidates but a total of 1,000 signatures must be submitted.
Additionally, a gubernatorial candidate must be:
- at least 30 years old
- a citizen of the United States 20 years
- a resident of the state five years
Elections
Mississippi belongs to the handful of states that hold off-year elections, that is, elections in off-numbered years that are neither Presidential nor midterm years. In Mississippi's case, elections are held in the year after a midterm and before a Presidential; thus, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019 are all gubernatorial election years. Legally, the inauguration is always held the second Tuesday in January after an election. Thus, January 10, 2012 and January 12, 2016 are inaugural days.
In the event of a tie, the House of Representatives casts ballots between the two highest vote getters.
If no candidate secures majorities of both the popular and electoral votes, under Article V, Section 141, the House of Representatives shall consider the two highest vote getters and vote, vive voce, to choose the governor. Such a vote shall be recorded in the journal.
Term limits
No person may hold the office of governor for more than two terms.
Vacancies
- See also: How gubernatorial vacancies are filled
Details of vacancies are addressed under Article V, Section 131.
In the event of a temporary vacancy in the governorship, due to illness, absence, or disability, the office shall first devolve to the Lieutenant Governor, followed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate and then the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Should all three of those officers be unable to discharge the office of the governor, the Mississippi Secretary of State shall convene a special session of the Senate wherein its members shall elect a new President Pro Tem who will be able to serve as Acting Governor.
Any individual acting as the governor receives her base compensation for her elected office plus the difference between that wage and the gubernatorial salary. Acting Governors of Mississippi have the full powers and emoluments of the office.
If there is a question of the governor's permanent disability or of whether a temporarily absent governor is fit to resume the office, then the Secretary of State shall request that the Mississippi Supreme Court investigate and decide the matter. Once delivered in writing to the Secretary of State, that opinion is "final and conclusive".
Duties
The governor serves as commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the state, and of the militia, except when they shall be called into the service of the United States, (§ 119), and sees that all laws are upheld and executed (§ 123).
The governor may convene the legislature whenever, in his judgment, the public interest requires it, according to the state constitution. However, during such meetings the governor has cannot consider or act upon subjects or matters other than those designated in the proclamation of the meeting, except impeachments and examination into the accounts of state officers. (§ 120)
The governor has the power to grant reprieves and pardons and to remit fines. His power does not extend to cases of treason or impeachment and must be exercised with the advice and consent of the Senate. (§ 124)
As a privilege of the office, the governor may keep and use the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi. (§ 126)
Other duties and privileges of the office include:
- Requiring written information from any officer of an executive department of any aspect of his office (§ 121)
- Periodically addressing the legislature on the state of the state and making recommendations (§ 122)
- Suspending county level Treasurers and Tax Collectors who are suspected of defaulting for the length of the investigation (§ 125)
- Making and sealing all commissions granted by the state of Mississippi (§ 127)
Compensation
The governor's pay is set by law, under § 118, and may not be increased or decreased effective during the current term.
As of 2010, the governor of Mississippi is paid $122,160 a year, the 28th highest gubernatorial salary in America.
Contact information
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
Phone:601-359-3150
Toll Free:1-877-405-0733
See also
- Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour
- Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi
- Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant
- Mississippi Attorney General
- Mississippi Secretary of State
External links
- Office of the Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour
- Official State of Mississippi Website
- Secretary of State,"Qualifications and Fees for Mississippi Candidates"
References
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