Who becomes Mississippi governor if the governor dies, resigns, or leaves office?
Short answer: the Mississippi lieutenant governor possesses the powers and discharges the duties of governor when the office becomes vacant by death or otherwise.
Use the Article 5, Section 131 succession order
If the Mississippi governor's office becomes vacant by death or otherwise, the Lieutenant Governor possesses the powers and discharges the duties of the office. If the Lieutenant Governor cannot serve, the President of the Senate Pro Tempore acts. If there is no such President, or that officer is disqualified or absent, the Speaker of the House assumes the office and performs the duties. If all of those officers are unable to discharge the duties, the Secretary of State convenes the Senate to elect a President Pro Tempore.
The wording matters. Section 131 says the Lieutenant Governor possesses the powers and discharges the duties of Governor. It says the President of the Senate Pro Tempore acts if the Lieutenant Governor cannot serve, and that the Speaker of the House assumes the office and performs the duties if the Senate President Pro Tempore is unavailable or disqualified.
Succession order
- Lieutenant Governor: possesses the powers and discharges the duties.
- President of the Senate Pro Tempore: acts if the Lieutenant Governor cannot serve.
- Speaker of the House: assumes the office and performs the duties if there is no qualified, available Senate President Pro Tempore.
- Secretary of State mechanism: convenes the Senate to elect a President Pro Tempore if the foregoing officers cannot discharge the duties.
2027 context
This is different from the normal next-governor question. Tate Reeves is term-limited, so the ordinary answer is that the next elected governor will be whoever wins the 2027 election. Section 131 answers a vacancy, absence, or disability before that handoff.
Temporary absence or illness
Section 131 also covers temporary absence and protracted illness. If doubt arises over whether the Governor is absent or unable to discharge the powers and duties because of protracted illness, the Mississippi Supreme Court determines the question.
FAQ
Who becomes Mississippi governor if the governor dies or resigns?
If the Mississippi governor's office becomes vacant by death or otherwise, the Lieutenant Governor possesses the powers and discharges the duties of the office. If the Lieutenant Governor cannot serve, the President of the Senate Pro Tempore acts. If there is no such President, or that officer is disqualified or absent, the Speaker of the House assumes the office and performs the duties. If all of those officers are unable to discharge the duties, the Secretary of State convenes the Senate to elect a President Pro Tempore.
Does the Mississippi lieutenant governor become elected governor in a vacancy?
Article 5, Section 131 uses more careful language: the Lieutenant Governor possesses the powers and discharges the duties of the office when the Governor's office becomes vacant by death or otherwise. This page does not describe that as becoming an elected governor.
Who acts if the Mississippi lieutenant governor cannot serve?
If the Lieutenant Governor cannot serve, Article 5, Section 131 says the President of the Senate Pro Tempore acts. If there is no such President, or that officer is disqualified or absent, the Speaker of the House assumes the office and performs the duties.
What if the Mississippi governor is temporarily absent or has a protracted illness?
Article 5, Section 131 also covers temporary absence and protracted illness. If doubt arises about whether the Governor is absent or unable because of protracted illness, the Mississippi Supreme Court decides the question.
What happens if none of the listed officers can discharge the duties?
Article 5, Section 131 says that if the foregoing officers are unable to discharge the duties of Governor, the Secretary of State convenes the Senate to elect a President Pro Tempore.
Sources
- Mississippi Constitution, Article 5, Section 131 - Official Mississippi Secretary of State PDF: when the office of Governor becomes vacant by death or otherwise, the Lieutenant Governor possesses the powers and discharges the duties; if the Lieutenant Governor cannot serve, the President of the Senate Pro Tempore acts; if that officer cannot serve, the Speaker of the House assumes the office and performs the duties; if the foregoing officers cannot discharge the duties, the Secretary of State convenes the Senate to elect a President Pro Tempore.