Article XI, § VII

In the event of a vacancy in the office of Governor resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a Governor in office, or the death of a Governor-elect, or from any other cause, occurring prior to noon on January 19, 2010, the President of the Senate shall become Governor until a new Governor or Lieutenant Governor is elected and qualifies, and in the event of the Senate President's death, resignation or removal prior to becoming Governor, or if the Senate President declines to become Governor, then the Speaker of the General Assembly shall become Governor until a new Governor or Lieutenant Governor is elected and qualifies, and in the event of the Speaker's death, resignation or removal prior to becoming Governor, or if the Speaker declines to become Governor, then the functions, powers, duties and emoluments of the office shall devolve for the time being upon such officers and in such order of succession as may be provided by law until a new Governor or Lieutenant Governor is elected and qualifies. When the President or Speaker becomes Governor pursuant to this section, the President's or Speaker's seat in the Legislature and leadership position shall become vacant. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Governor occurring prior to noon on January 19, 2010, a Governor shall be elected to fill the unexpired term at the general election next succeeding the vacancy, unless the vacancy shall occur within sixty days immediately preceding a general election, in which case the Governor shall be elected at the second succeeding general election; but no election to fill an unexpired term shall be held in calendar year 2009. A Governor elected for an unexpired term shall assume office immediately upon election. Until noon on January 19, 2010, in the event of the failure of the Governor-elect to qualify, or of the absence from the State of a Governor in office, or the Governor's inability to discharge the duties of the office, or the Governor's impeachment, the functions, powers, duties and emoluments of the office shall devolve upon the President of the Senate, for the time being; and in the event of the Senate President's death, resignation, removal, absence, inability or impeachment, then upon the Speaker of the General Assembly, for the time being; and in the event of the Speaker's death, resignation, removal, absence, inability or impeachment, then upon such officers and in such order of succession as may be provided by law; until the Governor-elect qualifies, or the Governor in office returns to the State, or is no longer unable to discharge the duties of the office, or is acquitted, as the case may be, or until a new Governor or Lieutenant Governor is elected and qualifies. If the President of the Senate is to become Governor or acting Governor pursuant to this section but the Senate has elected more than one President, only one of whom is of the same political party as the Governor, the President who is of that same political party shall become Governor or acting Governor, as appropriate. If the Speaker of the General Assembly is to become Governor or acting Governor pursuant to this section but the General Assembly has elected more than one Speaker, only one of whom is of the same political party as the Governor, the Speaker who is of that same political party shall become Governor or acting Governor, as appropriate.