The term of office is one, two, three, or four years, varying in different States, and in some the constitution prohibits any person from serving two terms in succession.
The legal qualifications of the office of governor vary in different States. He must be a citizen of the United States; must have resided in the State at least a fixed term of years; must not be under a certain age, usually thirty years; and in some States must own property of a given value.
POWERS, DUTIES.--The governor is commander-in-chief of the military forces of the State, and represents it in its dealings with other States. He may call on all other executive officers for written information concerning their respective duties. He is presumed to be well informed upon the affairs of the people, and is therefore required to give the legislature information as to the condition of the State, and to recommend the passage of such laws as he deems proper and expedient.
The governor may call special meetings of the legislature to consider questions of great and immediate public concern. At the opening of each session he addresses a regular message to the legislature, and from time to time submits special messages upon various subjects.
All acts of the legislature are presented for his approval and signature. If he approves and signs them, they become laws; if he retains them for a certain number of days without signing them, they become laws without his signature; if he refuses to approve them, he returns them within the specified time to the house in which they originated, with a statement of his objections.
This action is called a veto, and the vetoed measure, in order to become a law, must pass both houses again, and in some States must secure a two thirds vote of each house.
The governor may grant reprieves and pardons, except in cases of impeachment, and in some States, of treason. In some States this power is limited by a board of pardons, which must recommend a pardon before it can be granted by the governor; and in others the consent of one branch of the legislature must be obtained.
Treason against the States consists in an open or overt act of "levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort."
To reprieve is to delay or postpone for a time the execution of the sentence of death upon a criminal.
To pardon is to annul a sentence by forgiving the offense against the law, and by releasing the offender.