The capital and most of the population of the old territory had been in the south, closer to the area's maritime passage.

The constitution of 1917 maintained the existence of the Federal Territory divided into two districts but changed the denomination of the Chief Executive into Governor, maintaining this division until 1931 when finally two independent Districts were formed from the Federal Territories.

Finally in 1952, the northern territory became the Free and Sovereign State of Baja California; starting 1953 the governor was elected for a six-year term.

A referendum was held to extend his term to 2024, which passed with 82% of the vote but only 1.9% citizen participation.

The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation in a unanimous decision nullified this law on May 11, 2020, meaning Bonilla′s term would expire in 2021 and his successor would serve from 2021 to 2024.