term A governor is elected by statewide popular vote to a 4-year term. North Dakota law specifies that a regular term of an elected governor shall commence on December 15 following the November election in an even year, for a term of precisely four years, ending on December 15 four years after his or her inauguration. Date of inauguration, exceptions and inaugural celebrations The standard date of inauguration to the office of Governor of North Dakota is December 15 following the even-year general election. Thus, the next scheduled inauguration of the governor will be held on December 15, 2024, for the successful candidate chosen at the November 2024 general election. Other dates for the regularly scheduled inaugurations were mandated at various times, primarily dates in late December following the general election and several in January of the year following the general election. There have been cases where the governor of North Dakota was inaugurated on other dates, due to the vacancy of the office of governor. These have included the resignation of the governor, the death in office of a governor, and in one instance, the judicial removal because of a felony conviction of a governor (William Langer; his conviction was later overturned and he was elected to another term). Inaugural balls and related celebrations have been most often been celebrated on the dates of gubernatorial inaugurations. Although the current governor, Doug Burgum, was first inaugurated on December 15, 2016, the formal inaugural celebration was held in January 2017. The decision to conduct the celebration at a later date was made to avoid interference with the busy holiday schedules of many celebrants in December. Gubernatorial term limits In November 2022, voters approved an amendment to the North Dakota Constitution that established a lifetime limit of two four-year terms for the office of governor. The amendment only applies to individuals elected after the approval of the amendment. Previously, there was no limit to the number of terms a governor may serve, if elected. The longest-serving North Dakota governor was William L. Guy (1961-1973), who served four terms, two being for a two-year term and two being for a four-year term, for a total of 12 years in office. John Hoeven holds the record as the second longest-serving North Dakota governor (2000-2010). Non-sequential terms It is possible for a governor to serve non-sequential terms. William Langer is the only one who has