Frequently Asked Questions about When Elected Officials Take Office

When do statewide constitutional officials take office? Pursuant to Article V, Section 2 of the state Constitution, “the Governor shall … hold office from the Monday after January 1 following the election until a successor qualifies.” The eight other constitutional officers take office on the same day.

When do state senators and state assembly members take office? Pursuant to Article IV, Section 2(a)(3) of the state Constitution, “the terms of a Senator or a Member of the Assembly shall commence on the first Monday in December next following her or his election.”

When do local elected officials take office? Pursuant to Government Code Section 24200, “except as otherwise provided [of which there are several exceptions], all elective county officers … take office at 12 o’clock noon on the first Monday after the January1st succeeding their election.”