State Rep. Doreen Carter

Civics Corner: Can a Newly Elected Governor Veto a Law Signed by a Previous Governor?

Good question — and the answer is no.

A governor’s veto power only applies before a bill becomes law. Once legislation is signed into law (or becomes law without a signature), it is officially state law and a future governor cannot later veto it after taking office.

A new governor who disagrees with an existing law has other options:

• Work with the General Assembly to repeal or amend it
• Sign new legislation that changes it
• Challenge it in court if constitutional issues exist
• Adjust agency implementation when the law allows discretion

Understanding how government works matters because elections determine leadership, but they do not automatically erase laws already on the books.

This one put us to work, you hear meeee?!?😭 pops had to save me with that starting note lol Yall see pops repping that Jordyn Simone hat? Link in my bio if you wanna take a peak at what else we got 👀