History of the Office of Lieutenant Governor

The Office of Lieutenant Governor was created by Article 6, Sec. 1 of the Oklahoma Constitution. This section created the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor and Inspector, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Secretary of Labor, and Secretary of Insurance.

While the Office of Lieutenant Governor is similar in function to that of the Vice President of the United States, Oklahoma voters cast a separate ballot for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates run as a single "ticket." Candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor in Oklahoma must conduct individual campaigns.

In Oklahoma and about half of the 50 states, the Lieutenant Governor serves in place of the Governor when the chief executive officer leaves the state, becomes incapacitated or resigns. Oklahoma's Lieutenant Governor also serves as the President of the Oklahoma State Senate, casting a vote in the event of a tie and presiding over joint sessions of the State Legislature.

Constitutionally, or by state law, Lieutenant Governor Lamb presides over, appoints a designee or is a member of 10 state boards and commissions.