Impeachment is the process whereby an elected official, such as a governor, is charged with, and tried for, crimes or misconduct committed in the course of office. Consequences resulting from conviction are generally limited to removal from office and prohibition against holding office in the future.
In most states, the process is similar to that used for impeachments of presidents at the federal level. If the lower chamber of a state legislature votes in favor of impeachment (i.e., votes to formally charge the governor with an impeachable offense), then the upper chamber functions as a court of impeachment and votes on whether to convict the governor. Oregon was the final state to provide gubernatorial impeachment powers to the state legislature when its voters passed Measure 115 in November 2024.
There are some exceptions. In Alaska, the upper chamber votes to impeach and the lower chamber functions as the court of impeachment. In Missouri, impeachments are tried by a panel of seven judges selected by the Missouri State Senate, with a vote from five of the seven judges required to convict. In Nebraska, if the unicameral legislature votes in favor of impeachment, the governor is tried by the Nebraska Supreme Court. Finally, in Oklahoma, an impeached governor is tried before both chambers of the state legislature sitting in joint session.[1]
The table below summarizes the grounds upon which governors can be impeached in each of the states. Constitutional and statutory citations are provided parenthetically.[2]
Constitutional and statutory grounds for impeaching governors State Constitutional provisions Statutory provisions Alabama Willful neglect of duty; corruption in office; incompetency; intemperance (intoxicating liquors or narcotics); offense of moral turpitude while in office (Ala. Code, Const. Art. VII, § 173). Alaska No grounds listed, but a motion for impeachment must list fully the basis for the proceeding (Alaska Stat. Const. Art. II, § 20). Arizona High crimes, misdemeanors, or malfeasance in office (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. 8 Pt. 2 § 2). High crimes, misdemeanors, or malfeasance in office (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann., § 38-311). Arkansas High crimes and misdemeanors and gross misconduct in office (Ark. Code Ann., Const. Art. 15, § 1). (Ark. Code Ann., § 21-12-201 et seq.). California Misconduct in office (Cal. Code, Const. Art. IV, § 18(b)). Misconduct in office (Cal. Gov. Code § 3020 et seq.). Colorado High crimes or misdemeanors or malfeasance in office (Colo. Rev. Stat., Const. Art. XIII). Connecticut No grounds listed (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. IX). Delaware Treason, bribery, or any high crime or misdemeanor in office (Del. Code Ann., Const. Art. VI). Florida Misdemeanor in office (Fla. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. 3 § 17). A public officer who violates the state code of ethics is subject to a range of punishments, including impeachment, suspension, reprimand, salary reduction, and a civil penalty (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 112.317(1)(a)). A public officer who knowingly violates the law on inspecting, examining, and duplicating public records is subject to impeachment and other penalties (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 119.02). Georgia No grounds listed (Ga. Code Ann., Const. Art. 3, § 7). Hawaii “For causes that may be provided by law” (Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. III § 19). Idaho No grounds listed (Idaho Code, Const. Art. V §§ 3 & 4). (Idaho Code §§ 19-4013 to 19-4016). Illinois Legislative investigations conducted to determine cause for impeachment (Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. IV § 14). Indiana Crime, incapacity, or negligence (Ind. Code Ann., Const. Art. 6, §§ 7 & 8). Misdemeanor in office (Ind. Code Ann., § 5-8-1-1 et seq.). Iowa Misdemeanor or malfeasance in office (Iowa Code Ann., Const. Art. III §§ 20 & 20). Misdemeanor or malfeasance in office (Iowa Code Ann., § 68.1 et seq.). Kansas Treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors (Kan. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. II §§ 27 & 28). Misdemeanor in office (Kan. Stat. Ann. § 37-101 et seq.). Kentucky Misdemeanor in office (Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann., Const. § 68). Louisiana Felony, malfeasance, or gross misconduct while in such office (La. Rev. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. X § 24). Maine Misdemeanor in office (Me. Rev. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. IX § 5). Maryland No grounds listed (Md. Code Ann., Const. Art. II § 7; Art. III § 26). Massachusetts Misconduct or maladministration in office (Mass. Gen. Laws Ann., Const. Pt. 2, C.1, § 2, Art. VIII § Pt. 2, C.1, § 3, Art. 6). Michigan Corrupt conduct in office or crimes or misdemeanors (Mich. Comp. Laws Ann., Const. Art. XI, § 1 XI (7)). Corrupt conduct in office or crimes or misdemeanors (Mich. Comp. Laws Ann., §§ 6.1 to 6.16). Minnesota Corrupt conduct in office or crimes or misdemeanors (Minn. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. VIII). Mississippi Treason, bribery, or any high crime or misdemeanor in office (Miss. Code Ann., Const. Art. IV §§ 49 to 52). Missouri Crimes, misconduct, habitual drunkenness, willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, incompetency, or any offense of moral turpitude or oppression in office (Mo. Rev. Stat., Const. Art. VII, §§ 1 to 3). Crimes, misconduct, habitual drunkenness, willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, incompetency, or any offense of moral turpitude or oppression in office (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 106.020 et seq.). Montana Legislature must determine causes, manner, and procedure for impeachment (Mont. Code Ann., Const. Art. V, § 13). (Mont. Code Ann. § 5-5-401 et seq.). Nebraska Misdemeanor in office. Alleged acts or omissions must be stated in impeachment resolution (Neb. Rev. Stat., Const. Art III, § 17, Art. IV § 5). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-101 et seq.). Nevada Misdemeanor or malfeasance in office (Nev. Rev. Stat., Const. Art VII, § 2). (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 283.140 et seq.). New Hampshire Bribery, corruption, malpractice, or maladministration in office (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann., Const. Pt. 2, Art. 17 & Art. 38 et seq.). New Jersey Misdemeanor while in office (N.J. Stat. Ann., Art. VII, § 3). (N.J. Stat. Ann. § 52:13A-1 et seq.). New Mexico Crimes, misdemeanors, or malfeasance in office (N.M. Stat. Ann., Art. 4, §§ 35 & 36). New York No grounds listed (N.Y. Const. Art. 5, § 4 and Art. 6 § 24). (N.Y. Jud. Law § 415 et seq.). North Carolina No grounds listed (N.C. Gen. Stat., Art. 3 § 3, Art. 4 § 4). Commission of a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, malfeasance in office, or willful neglect of duty (N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 123-1 to 123-13). North Dakota Habitual drunkenness, crimes, corrupt conduct, or malfeasance or misdemeanor in office (N.D. Cent. Code, Art. 11, §§ 8 to 15). Habitual drunkenness, crimes, corrupt conduct, or malfeasance or misdemeanor (N.D. Cent. Code § 44-09-01 et seq.). Ohio Misdemeanor in office (Ohio Rev. Code Ann., Art. 2 §§ 23 and 24). Oklahoma Willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, habitual drunkenness, incompetency, or any offense involving moral turpitude while in office (Okla. Stat., Art. 8, § 1). Willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, habitual drunkenness, incompetency, or any offense involving moral turpitude while in office (Okla. Stat. Ch. 2 § 51 et seq.). Oregon Malfeasance or corrupt conduct in office, willful neglect of statutory or constitutional duty or other felony or high crime (Or. Const. Art. 4 § 34). Pennsylvania Misbehavior in office (Pa. Cons. Stat., Art. 6 § 4 et seq.). Rhode Island Commission of a felony or crime of moral turpitude, misfeasance, or malfeasance in office or found incapacitated (R.I. Gen. Laws, Art. 11 § 1 et seq.). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 22-6-2.2). South Carolina Serious crimes or serious misconduct in office (S.C. Code Ann., Const. Art. 15). South Dakota Drunkenness, crimes, corrupt conduct, or malfeasance or misdemeanor in office (S.D. Cod. Laws, Const. Art. XVI). Tennessee Commission of crime in official capacity requiring disqualification (Tenn. Code Ann., Const. Art. V). Commission of crime in official capacity requiring disqualification (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 8-46-101 to 8-46-205). Texas No grounds listed (Tex. Code Ann. Const. Art. 15, §§ 1 to 7). (Tex. Government Code Ann. §§ 665.001 to 665.028). Utah High crimes, misdemeanors, or malfeasance in office (Utah Code Ann., Const. Art. VI, §§ 17 to 21). High crimes and misdemeanors or malfeasance in office (Utah Code Ann. 1953 §§ 77-5-1 to 77-5-12). Vermont No grounds listed (Vt. Stat. Ann. Const. Ch. II §§ 57 & 58). Virginia Offending against the Commonwealth by malfeasance in office, corruption, neglect of duty, or other high crime or misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. Const. Art IV, § 17). Washington High crimes or misdemeanors, or malfeasance in office (Wash. Rev. Code Ann., Const. Art. V). (Wash. Rev. Code Ann., § 42.04.040). West Virginia Maladministration, corruption, incompetency, gross immorality, neglect of duty, or any high crime or misdemeanor (W. Va. Code Ann., Const. Art. 7 § 9). Maladministration, corruption, incompetency, gross immorality, neglect of duty, or any high crime or misdemeanor (W. Va. Code Ann. § 6-6-3). Wisconsin Corrupt conduct in office, crimes and misdemeanors (Wis. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. 7 § 1). (Wis. Stat. Ann., §§ 750.01 & 750.02). Wyoming High crimes and misdemeanors, or malfeasance in office (Wyo. Stat. Ann., Const. Art. 3, §§ 17 & 18). (Wyo. Stat. Ann., § 9-1-214).In the history of the United States, there are sixteen cases of a vote being carried out to impeach a governor. Of those, nine led to the impeached governor's removal from office. The National Conference of State Legislatures has suggested two potential reasons for the relative infrequency of gubernatorial impeachments: the perception that impeachment is a drastic measure and the likelihood of officers resigning before they can be impeached.[3]
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