An acting governor is a constitutional position created in some U.S. states when the governor dies in office or resigns. In some states, the governor may also be declared to be incapacitated and unable to function for various reasons, including illness and absence from the state for more than a specified period.he acting governor serves either until the next general election, until the governor recovers from his/her injuries, or, if the governor dies/ resigns occurs less than 16 months before end of the term, until the end of the term.