the governor is elected to a four-year term. it begins on the first monday in the december after the election. the lieutenant governor is elected for the same term. since 1964, they have been elected on the same ticket. the 1978 constitutional convention set a term limit of two consecutive terms for both offices. if the office of governor is vacant, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. if the governor is out of the state or unable to do their duties, the lieutenant governor acts as governor.