Arizona Proposition 131 is a constitutional amendment, approved by voters in November 2022, that creates the office of Lieutenant Governor and puts that officeholder first in line to succeed the Governor. Starting with the 2026 election, candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor run on a joint ticket and share a single vote on the general election ballot. The Secretary of State, who used to be first in the line of succession, moves down to second.
What Prop 131 Changed About Succession
Before the amendment, Article V, Section 6 of the Arizona Constitution put the Secretary of State first in line if the governorship became vacant through death, resignation, removal, or permanent disability. After the Secretary of State came the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.1Justia Law. Arizona Constitution Article 5 Section 6 – Death, Resignation, Removal or Disability of Governor
Prop 131 inserts the Lieutenant Governor at the top of that order. If the governorship becomes permanently vacant, the Lieutenant Governor takes over and serves until a successor is elected and qualifies.2Citizens Clean Elections Commission. About the Lieutenant Governor If both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor offices are empty at once, succession reverts to the earlier lineup: Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction.3Arizona Legislature. Arizona Constitution Article 5 Section 6 – Death, Resignation, Removal or Disability of Governor or Lieutenant Governor
The underlying reason for the change was partisan mismatch. Five of Arizona’s last nine governors reached office through succession rather than election, and in two of those transitions the office flipped from one party to the other because the Secretary of State belonged to the opposing party. A joint ticket guarantees the person next in line shares the Governor’s platform.
How the Joint Ticket Works
The joint ticket resembles the federal model, with one wrinkle in the primary. Candidates for Governor run alone in the primary election. Only after winning the primary does the gubernatorial nominee choose a running mate for Lieutenant Governor.
For the 2026 cycle, gubernatorial nominees advancing to the general election must file a Nomination Paper naming their Lieutenant Governor pick no later than September 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.4Arizona Secretary of State. Running for Public Office – A Candidate Guide 2026 No one runs independently for the office. On the general ballot, the Lieutenant Governor nominee appears with or below the gubernatorial nominee, and one vote covers both.5Ballotpedia. Article 5, Arizona Constitution
The 2026 primary is scheduled for July 21, with voter registration closing June 22 and early ballots mailing June 24.6Arizona Secretary of State. 2026 Election Info
What the Lieutenant Governor Does
To keep the office from becoming ceremonial, the Arizona Legislature passed SB 1255. That law requires the Governor to appoint the Lieutenant Governor to an existing role within the administration: Governor’s Chief of Staff, Director of the Department of Administration, or any other position the Governor is already authorized to fill.7Arizona Legislature. SB 1255 Senate Fact Sheet The constitution also allows the legislature to assign further duties later, so the role can grow over time.
Temporary Absences and Vacancies
Succession works differently for temporary situations. If the Governor is impeached, leaves the state, or is temporarily disabled, the Lieutenant Governor serves as acting governor only until the Governor returns to full capacity.3Arizona Legislature. Arizona Constitution Article 5 Section 6 – Death, Resignation, Removal or Disability of Governor or Lieutenant Governor
If the Lieutenant Governor’s own office becomes vacant through death, resignation, removal, or permanent disability, the Governor appoints a replacement. That appointment requires majority approval in both the Arizona House and Senate.8FindLaw. Arizona Constitution Art. V Section 6 – Death, Resignation, Removal or Disability of Governor or Lieutenant Governor
How Prop 131 Passed
Prop 131 was a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, placed on the ballot by the Arizona Legislature rather than by citizen petition.2Citizens Clean Elections Commission. About the Lieutenant Governor Voters approved it in November 2022, with roughly 55 percent in favor and 45 percent opposed. Before the amendment, Arizona was one of a handful of states without a Lieutenant Governor, along with Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Wyoming.9Ballotpedia. Lieutenant Governor (State Executive Office) The first joint-ticket Governor and Lieutenant Governor will be elected in November 2026.