The shortest term for a non-acting governor was that of Hugh McVay, who served four and a half months after replacing the resigning Clement Comer Clay.

The current governor is Republican Kay Ivey, who took office on April 10, 2017 following Robert J. Bentley's resignation amidst a corruption scandal.

[13] It seceded from the Union on January 11, 1861,[14] and was a founding member of the Confederate States of America on February 4, 1861.

[15] Following the end of the American Civil War, Alabama during Reconstruction was part of the Third Military District, which exerted some control over governor appointments and elections.

This limit remained in place until the constitution of 1868, which simply allowed governors to serve terms of two years.

The current constitution of 1901 increased terms to four years, but prohibited governors from succeeding themselves.