how often governor elections

Most U.S. states hold governor (gubernatorial) elections every four years, but a few hold them every two years and they fall in different parts of the national election cycle. New Hampshire and Vermont are the only two states where voters choose a governor every two years instead of every four.

Basic election frequency

• In 48 states, the governor serves a four‑year term, so regular governor elections are held every four years.

• New Hampshire and Vermont use two‑year terms, so they elect governors in every even‑numbered year (for example 2022, 2024, 2026).1

When during the cycle they happen

• All states except Louisiana hold their regular gubernatorial elections in early November, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday.

• Some states line these races up with presidential years, some with midterms, and a small group (such as Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi) hold them in odd‑numbered “off‑year” Novembers.

Quick pattern overview

• Most common pattern: four‑year governor elections in midterm or presidential years (for example, California in midterm years like 2018, 2022, 2026).

• Off‑year pattern: a handful of states vote for governor the year before or after a presidential election, which often draws extra attention because those races are the only big statewide contests on the ballot.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.