DES MOINES, Iowa — Top leaders in the state are facing some changes as Lt. Governor Adam Gregg stepped down. This put Iowa's Senate President, Amy Sinclair, next in line of succession. However, this process and line of succession could become irrelevant in similar situations, come November.
Iowans will have the chance to vote on the November ballot for a constitutional amendment.
This amendment would come into play if for some reason, the governor would step down. The amendment would then make the Lt. Governor fill the role of the Governor, and then that person would choose who they want to serve as their Lt. Governor.
This potentially could go against the line of succession.
Local 5 spoke with Iowans who say they don't know what the line of succession is in the state, and they weren't aware of this ballot measure.
The constitutional amendment got on the ballot because it passed through two consecutive legislative sessions. It was an amendment State Representative Adam Zabner criticized.
"My concern is that under this amendment, there's no check on who the governor picks," said Zabner, D-Johnson County. "There's no requirement that that person be confirmed or go through any process with the legislature."
The amendment was sparked after Gov. Kim Reynolds took over for Terry Branstad in 2017, and there was confusion around the Lt. Governor position.
Now the amendment is in the hands of Iowans.
"Changing the constitution of the state of Iowa is a big deal, and I think it's perfectly right that such a big change should have to go by Iowans," Zabner said.
Iowans will vote yes or no on implementing the constitutional amendment.