Georgias New State Constitution The Symbol for Georgias

Georgia’s New State Constitution

• • • The Symbol for Georgia’s government is the State Seal. It includes four key elements that tell us about our state’s government. 3 COLUMNS: Three columned structure which symbolizes the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. ARCH: The columns are connected by an arch which represents the Georgia Constitution that unifies the three branches MOTTO: Our state motto “Wisdom, Justice and Moderation” • Wisdom- a quality the legislative branch must have to create new laws and amend old ones • Justice- describe the legal system of defending and interpreting state laws • Moderation- the executive branch, the office of governor, is a moderate, balanced leader, not extreme. SOLDIER: The soldier represents the Georgia National Guard. He is the defender of the Georgia Constitution and our state’s commitment to wisdom, justice, and moderation. 2

Structure of the Constitution • Legislators began writing our current Constitution in 1977 and it was approved by Georgia citizens in 1983 • Basic Structure includes: – Preamble – Bill of Rights – 11 articles – Amendments

Georgia’s Bill of Rights • Found in Article I of Georgia’s Constitution. • Lists individual liberties and protects those liberties from governmental intrusion. • 48 Paragraphs total – 28 paragraphs list individual rights – 9 deal with the origins of government – 3 are devoted to general provisions

11 Articles • • • Article I: Bill of Rights Article II: Voting and Elections Article III: Legislative Branch Article IV: Constitutional Boards and Commissions Article V: Executive Branch Article VI: Judicial Branch Article VII: Taxation and Finance Article VIII: Education Article IX: Counties and Municipal Corporations Article X: Amendments in the Constitution Article XI: Miscellaneous Provisions

How is Georgia’s Constitution similar to the U. S. Constitution? • Bill of Rights • Separation of Power – Legislative – Executive – Judicial • Executive branch appoints officials and veto bills • Both allow judicial review (constitutionality)

How do the Constitutions compare? Georgia Constitution U. S. Constitution • Georgia’s Constitution is longer in length • Georgia voters must approve amendments • Georgia’s requires the state to maintain a balanced budget • Governor may line item veto (cut a specific item in a spending bill) • Georgia elects most of its judges on nonpartisan ballots, • Georgia’s legislator: Senate (2 yrs) Reps (2 yrs) • Governor does not function with a cabinet • Details how local governments should function • • No equal role for amending the U. S. const. • The U. S. has no limitations of federal government • The president does not have this power in the U. S. • The President nominates judges for Senate approval. • U. S. Legislators: Senate (6 yrs) Reps(2 yrs) • President has a cabinet of advisors • Does not mention local government

Separation of Powers • Same as U. S. : Do you remember? Legislative § _________ makes laws Executive § _________ enforces the laws Judicial § _________ interprets the laws Review

Checks and Balances • Also the same as the U. S. Who has the power to…. . Executive § ________ veto laws Review Legislative § ________ Override a veto Judicial § ________ Determine constitutionality of laws

sa re SEPARATION OF POWER & CHECKS AND BALANCES Ca na p ju poi st nt ice S s a up nd rem ju e dg Co es ur t e co if pr ns es tit id ut en io tia na l l act cid de n Ca y nc ge er em s all res d c ng an Co ills of s ob n t, et sio s en n v se sid rm Ca re nfi. e P co ts th and men t ch ea eto oin mp a v pp n i de e a Ca erri utiv ov xec e Review Can interpret constitutionality of laws. Can confirm or impeach judicial appointments, such as Supreme Court justices.

Georgia’s Bill of Rights-Rights of Citizens • Life, Liberty, and Property – Not without due process • Freedom of Conscience Review – No Religious persecution • Banishment and Whipping as punishment – Unreasonable punishment • Fishing and Hunting – Preserved for people and managed by law and regulation for public good.

BEING A GEORGIA CITIZEN

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A GEORGIA CITIZEN Paying Taxes Serving on juries Volunteering Voting

ELECTION TIME

VOTING QUALIFICATIONS Must be a citizen of the United States Must be 18 years old by election day Must be a legal resident of Georgia and of the COUNTY Cannot be serving in jail for a felony offense or ruled to be mentally incompetent

REGISTERING TO VOTE Where and how do citizens register to vote: City, county and state government offices Libraries Or you can get a form online and mail it to the Georgia Secretary of State office Citizens are only allowed to vote at the polling place in their district (precinct), or via absentee ballot.