Arizona’s New Lieutenant Governor: A Position Voters Created — and Now Must Shape

Summary: In the 2026 election, when Arizonans vote for governor, they will also be electing Arizona’s first Lieutenant Governor. And the most interesting part? The people created the position themselves.

By Amanda Monize, EZAZ.org Grassroots Strategy Director (AKA Grassroots Glow-Up Guru)

CIVICS -

A New Office Born From the Ballot

In 2022, Arizona voters approved Arizona Proposition 131, amending the Arizona Constitution to establish the office of lieutenant governor beginning with the 2026 election. More than 1.29 million voters supported the measure, with about 55% voting in favor.

The change modified Article V of the Arizona Constitution, creating the lieutenant governor within the executive branch and requiring that candidates for governor run on a joint ticket with a lieutenant governor nominee.

In other words, much like the President and Vice President at the federal level, Arizona’s top executive team will now run together.

For voters, that means the next time you choose a governor, you’re also choosing the person who could become governor if circumstances require it.

Why Arizona Created the Position

For most of its history, Arizona did not have a lieutenant governor. Instead, the Secretary of State served as the first in the line of succession if a governor left office.

That system worked — most of the time.

But Arizona’s political history contains several unexpected transitions. Since statehood, multiple officials have ascended to the governor’s office after resignations, deaths, or other departures.

The idea behind the new system is simple: if a governor cannot finish a term, the successor should be someone elected alongside them by the same voters and sharing the same policy direction. Under the new constitutional structure, the Lieutenant Governor will now be first in the line of succession, replacing the Secretary of State in that role.

What Will the Lieutenant Governor Actually Do?

Here’s where the story gets interesting.

Unlike some states, Arizona’s lieutenant governor is not assigned a single fixed job in the constitution. Instead, Article V, Section 9 of the Arizona Constitution provides that the powers and duties of the office will be “as prescribed by law.”

The legislature anticipated that question when it referred the constitutional amendment to voters. A companion law requires the governor to appoint the lieutenant governor to a major executive role — such as:

• Chief of Staff to the Governor

• Director of the Arizona Department of Administration

• Or another position the governor is authorized to appoint

In practical terms, the lieutenant governor will likely serve as the governor’s top operational partner — helping manage the executive branch while also standing ready to assume the governorship if necessary.

If the office becomes vacant, the governor may appoint a replacement, but the state legislature must confirm the appointment by majority vote in both chambers.

The New Line of Succession

Arizona’s line of succession will now look like this:

1. Governor

2. Lieutenant Governor

3. Secretary of State

4. Attorney General

5. State Treasurer

6. Superintendent of Public Instruction

This change ensures that the first successor is someone voters elected on the same ticket as the governor.

A Chance for Citizens to Ask Questions

But here’s the key civic lesson: the structure of government may be written in the Constitution, but the meaning of that structure is shaped by the people who occupy the offices.

That’s where voters come in. As candidates campaign for governor in the coming election cycle, Arizonans should ask a simple but important question:

Who will be your lieutenant governor — and what role will they play in your administration?

• Will they oversee major state operations?

• Lead policy initiatives?

• Serve as the governor’s chief adviser?

• Help coordinate state agencies?

• Or simply stand ready in case of emergency?

The Constitution leaves room for leadership — and voters have every right to know what candidates intend to do with that authority.

Self-Government Requires Participation

One of the remarkable things about Arizona is how often voters directly shape the structure of their government. Through the initiative and referendum process, citizens regularly amend the constitution, create new policies, and adjust how government works. The lieutenant governor’s office is just the latest example of that principle in action.

The office exists because Arizonans voted for it.

Now comes the next step of self-government: deciding what kind of leadership should fill it. So as the next governor’s race heats up, remember those first three words that launched the American experiment.

We the People.

And ask the candidates a simple question: Who will stand beside you as Arizona’s first lieutenant governor — and what will they do for the people of this state?

Because in a republic, the citizens are not spectators. They are the boss.

And if enough citizens ask, candidates will have to answer—and in doing so, you will help shape a brand‑new statewide office before the first person ever takes the oath

About the Author: Amanda Monize, Grassroots Strategy Director at EZAZ.org, is a former teacher and Science Instructional Specialist. She joined EZAZ as an Arizona citizen seeking to understand local government, later volunteering in statewide grassroots campaigns and running for office. She designed and led civic education trainings across Arizona and serves as an elected official. Now leading EZAZ initiatives, she empowers citizens through organizing, education, and advocacy—believing an informed, active citizenry secures liberty.

________

EZcivics.org is funded by our readers. If you found this news brief educational, consider chipping in to fuel our work by going HERE.