[2] Candidates for the office were limited to white men of at least 35 years of age who held at least $5,000 worth in landed property.

[1][3] Popular gubernatorial elections were held, but the Louisiana State Legislature was given the responsibility of deciding the winner from among the two top-performing candidates.

[3] The 1845 constitution eliminated minimum property requirements for gubernatorial candidates[4] and ensured the governor would be chosen directly by popular vote.

[12] They are empowered to request agency heads in state government to report to them on subjects relating to the operation of governmental departments.

[13] They are ex officio commander in chief of Louisiana's armed forces—except when the guard is pressed into federal service—and are authorized to call it into service "to preserve law and order, to suppress insurrection, to repel invasion, or in other times of emergency.

[15] The governor is constitutionally required to report the legislature on "the affairs of state, including its complete financial condition" at the beginnings of their regular sessions.

[16] The constitution also obligates the governor to submit an annual operating budget proposal to the legislature as well as a "five-year capital outlay program" during each such session.

[19][20] Article 4, Section 14 of the state constitution enumerates the line of succession in the event there is a permanent vacancy in the governor's office.

In this political capacity they often raise funds for their party, recruit candidates for elections, and advocate for major policy proposals.