 A state officer may be impeached while in office or for two years after leaving office . The impeachment process is similar to that of the Federal level : an absolute majority in the lower house ( the General Assembly ) against the employee causes a trial to take place in the upper house ( the State Senate ) with the Chief Justice presiding . Unlike the Federal process , the oath necessary to participate in the impeachment sessions is specified and requires the senators to " truly and impartially " address the charge as a reminder that they are exercising more judicial functions . ⅔ of the votes , or 27 votes , are needed to convict , but the President of the Senate is excluded from the trial , so the required percentage is slightly higher than ⅔ of 40 . The maximum penalty is removal from office with disqualification to hold further state office . However , the impeachment does not count towards the restriction on double jeopardy ; after being convicted by the senate , a person could then be tried by the judiciary and punished further . If this crime was listed according to Article II , Section I , Item 7 , the offender can be disenfranchised . 
