The executive power is vested in the governor, who is responsible for the faithful execution of the laws of the state.
Elected Officials
Elected by the people to a 4-year term, the governor:
- Supervises the principal departments of the executive branch and appoints members to state boards and commissions;
- May direct an investigation of any department of state government and may require written information from executive and administrative state officers on any subject relating to the performance of their duties;
- May remove elective and appointive officers of the executive branch for cause, as well as elective county, city, township, and village officers;
- Submits messages to the legislature and recommends measures considered necessary or desirable;
- Submits an annual state budget to the legislature, recommending sufficient revenues to meet proposed expenditures;
- May convene the legislature in extraordinary session;
- May call a special election to fill a vacancy in the legislature or the U.S. House of Representatives, and may fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate by appointment;
- May grant reprieves, commutations of sentences, and pardons;
- May seek extradition of fugitives from justice who have left the state and may issue warrants at the request of other governors for fugitives who may be found within this state;
- Signs all commissions, patents for state lands, and appoints notaries public and commissioners in other states to take acknowledgments of deeds for this state;
- Serves as chairperson of the State Administrative Board, which supervises and approves certain state expenditures, and has veto power over its actions; and
- Serves as commander-in-chief of the state’s armed forces.
The lieutenant governor is nominated at party convention and elected with the governor:
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Is a member of the State Administrative Board and would succeed the governor in case of death, impeachment, removal from office, or resignation.