One Vote, Two Winners: Team-Ticket Gubernatorial Elections and the Need for Further Reform

Historically, governors and lieutenant governors were elected in separate elections. This frequently meant that governors and lieutenant governors of different parties were elected, undermining the democratic legitimacy of gubernatorial succession. But when New York adopted team tickets in 1953, it ignited a flurry of similar changes nationwide. Today, most states with lieutenant governors elect them on a team ticket with governors.

And, since the initial adoption of team tickets, several other trends—specifically, trends away from separate primaries and toward post-primary selection—have emerged in how lieutenant governors are elected. Despite the significance of these changes, however, they remain largely unexplored by the academic literature. Accordingly, this Article sets out to remedy that omission. It addresses the move to team tickets—including explaining why the move occurred when it did, the chronology, and the legislative history—and the subsequent adoption of specific lieutenant-gubernatorial election procedures.

It explores both trends and ultimately argues for the adoption of an election procedure that maximizes democratic legitimacy.