Governor term limits by state
Governors serve four-year terms, except in New Hampshire and Vermont (two years). 37 states limit how long they can serve; Virginia is the only one that bans consecutive terms.
- No limit (13)
- Two consecutive terms (23)
- Two terms for life (9)
- Limit in years (4)
- No consecutive terms (1)
No limit (13)
Connecticut · Idaho · Illinois · Iowa · Massachusetts · Minnesota · New Hampshire (2-year terms) · New York · Texas · Utah · Vermont (2-year terms) · Washington · Wisconsin
Two consecutive terms (23)
Can run again after sitting out a term.
Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Colorado · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Nebraska · New Jersey · New Mexico · North Carolina · Ohio · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · West Virginia
Two terms for life (9)
Arkansas · California · Delaware · Michigan · Mississippi · Missouri · Nevada · North Dakota · Oklahoma
Limit in years (4)
8 of any 12 or 16 years.
Indiana (8 of any 12 years) · Montana (8 of any 16 years) · Oregon (8 of any 12 years) · Wyoming (8 of any 16 years)
No consecutive terms (1)
Virginia (One 4-year term at a time; may run again later)
Questions and answers
Which states have no governor term limits?
Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.
What does "two consecutive terms" mean?
The governor can serve two terms in a row and, after sitting out at least one, run again.
Why can't Virginia's governor run for re-election?
Its state constitution bars consecutive terms; a former governor can run again later.
Governors by party · 2027 governor races
Source: Ballotpedia, "States with gubernatorial term limits".