why does new jersey have an acting governor

New Jersey has an acting governor when the elected governor is unable to fulfill their duties, such as being out of state, incapacitated, or otherwise unavailable. This is a provision established under a constitutional amendment passed in 2005, effective since 2006. The acting governor is usually the lieutenant governor, who assumes the role automatically during such absences without needing Senate approval. For example, Tahesha Way, New Jersey's lieutenant governor, has acted as governor during times when Governor Phil Murphy was out of state or otherwise unavailable, including recent events like declaring a state of emergency ahead of a storm while Governor Murphy was away. This system ensures that the state government always has an active leader in emergency situations or when the governor is temporarily unavailable.