New Mexico Constitution Article V - Executive Department
New Mexico Constitution – Article V: Executive Department
🔹 Overview:
Article V of the New Mexico Constitution establishes the Executive Department, defining the offices, powers, duties, and terms of the state’s chief executive officers.
🔹 Key Provisions and Sections:
Section 1 – Executive Officers
The Executive Department consists of:
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Secretary of State
State Auditor
State Treasurer
Attorney General
Commissioner of Public Lands
Each is elected by the people and serves a 4-year term.
Section 2 – Election and Term
Elections for executive officers are held every four years, in even-numbered years not coinciding with a presidential election.
Term limits: No Governor may serve more than two consecutive terms.
Section 3 – Governor: Powers and Duties
The Governor is the chief executive of the state and responsible for ensuring that laws are faithfully executed.
Powers include:
Commanding the state military forces
Calling special legislative sessions
Granting pardons and reprieves (except in cases of impeachment)
Filling vacancies in state offices under certain conditions
Section 4 – Lieutenant Governor
Elected jointly with the Governor.
Acts as President of the Senate but only votes to break ties.
Succeeds the Governor if the office becomes vacant.
Section 5 – Succession
If the Governor is unable to serve, the Lieutenant Governor assumes the office.
Further succession is determined by statute.
Section 6 – Executive Officers' Duties
Duties for executive officers other than the Governor are defined by law.
Section 7 – Seals and Commissions
The Governor issues official commissions and affixes the Great Seal of the State of New Mexico.
Section 8 – Salaries
The salaries of executive officers are set by law and cannot be increased or decreased during their term.
🔹 Summary:
Article V creates a plural executive structure in New Mexico, distributing executive authority among several independently elected officials, with the Governor as the chief officer. It provides a clear succession plan, defines terms and powers, and ensures that the executive branch functions in accordance with state law and democratic principles.
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