LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Lieutenant Governor performs duties delegated by the Governor (Const., Art. II, secs. 1, 1A, 2). In the event of a vacancy in the office of Governor, the Lieutenant Governor succeeds to that office. The Lieutenant Governor also serves as acting governor when notified in writing by the Governor that the Governor will be temporarily unable to perform the duties of office (Const., Art. II, secs. 4, 5, 6).

The Lieutenant Governor chairs the Cabinet Council on Criminal and Juvenile Justice; the State House Trust; the Advisory Board on After-School Opportunity Programs; and the Task Force to Study Increasing the Availability of Substance Abuse Programs. The Lieutenant Governor also co-chairs the Family Violence Council and the Safe Schools Interagency Steering Committee, and serves on the Governor's Executive Council, the Maryland Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families, and the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

As the second-ranking officer of the State, the Lieutenant Governor is chosen for a four-year term by popular vote at the same election at which the Governor is elected. The Lieutenant Governor's term of office begins on the third Wednesday in January following election. Eligibility requirements for Lieutenant Governor are the same as those for the Governor.

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