Georgia State Constitution Georgia State Constitution Georgia has

Georgia State Constitution

Georgia State Constitution • Georgia has operated under 10 constitutions. • The most current version was adopted in 1983 • Basic structure of the Constitution is broken up into 12 sections.

Sections of the Georgia Constitution • Preamble: states purpose of the constitution • Article I – Bill of Rights: States specific rights guaranteed by the constitution, such as life, liberty, and property. • Article II – Voting and Elections: Sets qualifications for voting and rules for elections. • Article III – Legislative Branch: Describes structure of and powers given to the General Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives)

Sections of the Georgia Constitution • Article IV – Constitutional Boards and Commissions: Sets up government bodies such as the Public Service Commission, State Transportation Board, and Board of Pardons and Paroles • Article V – Executive Branch: Establishes offices and powers of Governor and Lieutenant governor

Sections of the Georgia Constitution • Article VI – Judicial Branch: Establishes state court system • Article VII – Taxation and Finance: Authorizes power to tax, and purposes and methods of taxation. • Article VIII – Education: Establishes public education system supported by taxes, and Board of Education to over see it.

Sections of the Georgia Constitution • Article IX - Counties and Municipal Corporations: Describes powers and structure of county government • Article X – Amendments to the constitution: Describes process to amend the constitution. • Article XI – Miscellaneous Provisions.

Separation of Powers • Each branch depends on one another to work effectively • Each branch has separate powers that cannot be taken away by the other two branches. • Legislative, Executive, Judicial

Separation of Powers • Legislative: General Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) • Create Laws • Executive: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer • Enforce Laws • Judicial: Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts, Municipal Courts • Interpret laws

Checks and Balances • Having three branches of government makes sure that no one branch can have more power than the others • Each branch can check the power of the other two, and make sure that one does not become too powerful

Example of Checks and Balances • The General Assembly (legislative branch) may pass a bill, but the Governor (executive branch) may veto, or say no to it • The Governor (executive branch) may veto a bill, but the General Assembly (legislative branch) may pass the bill over the veto if they have enough votes • The state Supreme Court (judicial branch) can declare laws (legislative branch) unconstitutional.

Citizens Rights • The U. S. and Georgia State Constitution have given all citizens basic rights • Along with rights (freedoms, privileges) come rules and responsibilities. Rules and laws made by government protect peoples rights. • As citizens we all have the responsibility to: • Take care of ourselves • Respect the tights of others • Obey rules and laws

Voting in Georgia • Qualifications are: • Must be a citizen of the US • Must be a legal resident of Georgia and of the county where you wish to vote • You must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day • A citizen cannot vote if they are serving a sentence for a felony or is declared mentally incompetent.

Elections… • The Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s office runs all elections. • Every election has a voter registration deadline that is 30 days before the election. • Each fall, Georgians vote on various positions, sometimes special elections are held at other times of the year. • Presidential elections are held every four years on the first Tuesday of November

Elections… • In Georgia, voters use touch screen voting machines at an assigned polling place near their home. • On election days polling places are open from 7 – 7 • If you don’t want to wait in line to vote, you can: • mail an absentee ballot before the election begins • Advance Voting: vote the week before the election begins at the voter registration office

Political Parties • An organized group of people who control of seek to control a government • Play a key role in government and provide opportunities for citizens to participate in the political process • Compete against one another in elections to keep or gain control of the government • Functions: • • Recruiting and nominating candidates Educating the electorate about campaign issues Helping candidates win elections Monitoring actions of officeholders