About The Lt. Governor's Office

Duties

The constitutional duties of the Lieutenant Governor are President of the Senate and President of the Board of Pardons. The office also handles constituent service work.

The duties and activities of the Lieutenant Governor and staff include the following:

DELAWARE STATE SENATE
The first of two constitutional duties of the Lt. Governor is to preside over the Delaware State Senate which consists of 21 senators. The Lt. Governor only casts a vote when a tie must be broken. The State Senate is in session from the second Tuesday in January through June 30.

BOARD OF PARDONS
The second constitutional duty of the Lt. Governor is to chair the Board of Pardons. As the President of the Board of Pardons it is the Lt. Governor’s responsibility to preside over the monthly pardon hearings and present the Board’s recommendations to the Secretary of State who then notifies the Governor’s Office of the Board’s recommendation. The Governor cannot grant a pardon or commutation in the absence of a recommendation from the Board of Pardons. The Governor is not bound to accept the recommendation of the Board, but exercises an independent judgment in all cases.