What occurs if the governor resigns or dies after serving one year of a four-year term?

When a governor in Georgia resigns or dies after serving one year of their four-year term, the lieutenant governor automatically succeeds them in office. This provision ensures continuity in leadership and governance, allowing the lieutenant governor to assume the responsibilities and powers of the governorship without the need for an appointment or special election. The succession by the lieutenant governor is established in the state constitution to prevent potential gaps in governance and to maintain stability in executive leadership.

A special election would typically be held to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term, but in the interim, it is the lieutenant governor who takes over the role immediately. This process underlines the importance of having a designated successor ready to step in, ensuring that the state's executive functions can continue without disruption.