[6] The governor is also empowered to reorganize the executive branch of the state government.

[7] In the 17th and 18th century, Michigan was part of French and then British holdings, and administered by their colonial governors.

The number of times an individual could hold the office was unlimited until a 1992 constitutional amendment imposed a lifetime term limit of two 4-year governorships.

The only governors to serve non-consecutive terms were John S. Barry and Frank Fitzgerald.

[39] Beginning in 1850, the term begins at noon on January 1 of the year following the election;[40] before, it had no set start date, and terms would last until when their successor was inaugurated, which would be at least the first Monday in January following their election.