SUPPORT AFTER STOPPING IN TOWNS FOR MASSES AND RALLIES. THIS YEAR, CALIFORNIA VOTERS WILL DECIDE WHO THEIR NEW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL BE. SO BEFORE YOU VOTE, WE WANT TO EXPLAIN WHAT EXACTLY THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OVERSEES, CURTIS BREAKS IT DOWN. CALIFORNIA IS ELECTING A NEW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THIS YEAR. SO WHAT DO THEY ACTUALLY DO? LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. A KEY PART OF THIS ROLE IS TO BE ABLE TO STEP IN AS GOVERNOR AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE, IF NEEDED. THEY SERVE AS THE ACTING GOVERNOR. IF THE GOVERNOR IS OUT OF STATE, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE SENATE. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT WHEN THE LEGISLATION IS DEADLOCKED, THEY COULD CAST A TIE BREAKING VOTE, BUT THAT RARELY HAPPENS HERE IN CALIFORNIA. THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ALSO SERVES ON A NUMBER OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT OVERSEE CALIFORNIA COLLEGES. THE JOB COULD VARY DEPENDING ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR COULD ADD RESPONSIBILITIES. THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS A LIMIT OF TWO FOUR YEAR TERMS IN OFFICE. SO HOW MUCH DOES THE LIEUTENAN
What is the California lieutenant governor responsible for? | CA Politics 360
Before you vote, we want to explain what exactly the lieutenant governor oversees.
Updated: 8:25 AM PDT Mar 15, 2026
California is electing a new lieutenant governor this year. Before you vote, we want to explain what exactly the lieutenant governor oversees.Let’s break it down.STEPPING IN FOR THE GOVERNORA key part of the lieutenant governor’s job requires them to be ready to step in as governor at a moment’s notice. They serve as acting governor when the governor is out of the state.PRESIDENT OF THE SENATEThe lieutenant governor is the president of the Senate. This is most important when the state Senate is deadlocked. The lieutenant governor can cast a tie-breaking vote. However, that rarely happens in California. BOARDS & COMMISSIONSThe lieutenant governor serves on several boards and commissions. The high-profile roles include serving as a voting member of the boards that oversee the University of California, the California State University system and the California Community College system. The lieutenant governor also chairs the Commission for Economic Development.RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNORThe job can vary depending on the relationship between the governor and the lieutenant governor. Some governors give their second-in-command more responsibilities.TIME IN OFFICE & PAYThe lieutenant governor has a limit of two four-year terms in office.In 2025, the job paid $184,447, according to the Department of Human Resources.
California is electing a new lieutenant governor this year.
Before you vote, we want to explain what exactly the lieutenant governor oversees.
Let’s break it down.
STEPPING IN FOR THE GOVERNOR
A key part of the lieutenant governor’s job requires them to be ready to step in as governor at a moment’s notice. They serve as acting governor when the governor is out of the state.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
The lieutenant governor is the president of the Senate. This is most important when the state Senate is deadlocked. The lieutenant governor can cast a tie-breaking vote. However, that rarely happens in California.
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
The lieutenant governor serves on several boards and commissions. The high-profile roles include serving as a voting member of the boards that oversee the University of California, the California State University system and the California Community College system. The lieutenant governor also chairs the Commission for Economic Development.
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNOR
The job can vary depending on the relationship between the governor and the lieutenant governor. Some governors give their second-in-command more responsibilities.
TIME IN OFFICE & PAY
The lieutenant governor has a limit of two four-year terms in office.
In 2025, the job paid $184,447, according to the Department of Human Resources.