[3] The governor has a duty to enforce state laws,[2] the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Montana State Legislature,[4] to convene the legislature at any time,[5] and to grant pardons and reprieves.

The longest-serving governor was Joseph Toole, who served from 1889 to 1893 and again from 1901 until his resignation in 1908 with 11 years in office.

The current governor is Republican Greg Gianforte, who took office on January 4, 2021.

[47] The current Montana Constitution, ratified in 1972, calls for a 4-year term for the governor, commencing on the first Monday in January following an election.

The two offices are elected on the same ticket;[48] a provision which did not appear in the state's first constitution, ratified in 1889.