N.J. Constitutional Convention: Vol. 2, Page 1377
by Bennett M. Rich Assistant Professor of Political Science Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey
Qualifications
Most states have three qualifications for governor: minimum age, United States citizenship (sometimes for a number of years), and residence in the state for a stated number of years. In 1935 North Dakota experienced considerable trouble because of the clause requiring five years' residence within the state. The winning candidate for office had lived and voted in another state within the prescribed period. The Supreme Court of the state held that he lacked the proper qualifications. As a consequence, the lieutenant governor succeeded to the office.1 Roy L. Miller, "The Gubernatorial Controversy in North Dakota," American Political Science Review, June, 1935, pp. 418 - 432.
The "Model State Constitution," published by the National Municipal League, would make "any qualified voter of the state" eligible to the office of governor.2 Art. V, sec. 501 (Partial Revision of 1946).
Length of Term
In 25 states the governor serves four years; in 22 states the term is two years. New Jersey alone has the three-year term.3 Council of State Governments. The Book of the States, 1945 - 46, p. 560.
Although the number of states having four-year and two-year terms is about the same, the trend is in the direction of the longer term.4 Graves, W. B. American State Government (3rd ed., 1946), p. 369. The chief advantage cited for the four-year term is that the governor has time to formulate a program and take steps toward its accomplishment, whereas a governor serving a two-year term is handicapped because he must concentrate on politics if he wishes to be reelected, and this to the detriment of his program.
Time of Election
Most state elections for governor occur in the even-numbered years. In 10 of the 25 states having the four-year term, the election for governor coincides with the presidential election; 11 use the intermediate even years; Virginia, Mississippi, and Kentucky elect their governors in odd-numbered years, and Louisiana elects in
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