Georgia’s Constitution

1. Georgia’s Constitution February 3, 2014

2. Background • Georgia became a state after the American Revolution • The first state constitution was adopted in 1777 • It was modeled after the Articles of Confederation • There was a unicameral legislature that had the power to choose the governor • The people did not have the power to vote for the governor of the state • The actual power, therefore, was in the hands of the legislature, not the citizens of Georgia • After the new U.S. Constitution was ratified, Georgia revised its constitution to match it in 1789

3. Georgia’s Constitution • In 1983, the Georgia government adopted the 10th constitution in Georgia’s history, which is the current one used today. • Georgia’s constitution has 11 articles • The first article is a bill of rights, which sets out the rights of Georgia’s citizens • Other articles deal with the 3 branches of government, voting and elections, education, taxes, county and local governments, and ways to amend the constitution

4. Separation of Powers • Georgia’s constitution divides the responsibilities of government into 3 branches • Executive • Legislative • Judicial • This is called a separation of powers • Each branch has unique powers that the other branches cannot take over • This makes sure that no one part can be too powerful

5. Checks and Balances • Each branch of government is given some power to control or prevent some actions of the other branches (this is called checks and balances) • This also ensures that no one branch can become too powerful • The executive branch can veto (say no to) bills passed by the legislative branch • The legislative branch can impeach (remove from office) officials in the executive or judicial branches • The judicial branch determines whether or not laws created by the legislative branch are constitutional

6. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens • The constitution gives Georgia citizens their rights and their responsibilities • Voting, while a right, is the most important responsibility of being a citizen • A responsibility is paying taxes (federal, state, and local) • Another is upholding the laws of the country and state, and defending the country against its enemies

7. Voting Qualifications • The major influence on government decision-making is made by the people who vote • Voters elect their representatives and decide major questions and issues • To register to vote in Georgia, you must be at least 18 years old and be a citizen of the U.S. • You must also be a legal resident of Georgia and the county in which you register

8. Elections • Voters select the most important state officials in a general election that is held in November in at least every even-numbered year • Other elections are held as needed to decide issues, such as constitutional amendments

9. Role of Political Parties • Political parties are organized groups of people who share common ideas and who try to influence the government policies and decisions by electing their members • Today, there is a two-party system in the U.S. and Georgia because there are 2 major political parties – Democrats and Republicans • There are several minor ones, but they do not have enough support to elect their members to political office, but their ideas influence the members of the larger parties

10. Georgia’s State Flag • Georgia adopted its current state flag in 2003. • The flag has three red and white stripes with the state coat of arms in a blue field in the upper left-corner. • The arch symbolizes Georgia’s constitution and the three pillars represent the 3 branches of government. • The words of the state motto: “Wisdom, Justice, Moderation” are wrapped around the pillars • Thirteen white stars symbolize Georgia as one of the 13 original American colonies.

11. Questions: • 1) When was Georgia’s first state constitution adopted? • 2) Which version of Georgia’s constitution is in use today? • 3) How many articles are in Georgia’s constitution? • 4) What do the articles deal with? • 5) What are the 3 branches of government? • 6) What is separation of powers? • 7) What is checks and balances? • 8) How can the executive branch “check” the legislative branch? • 9) How can the legislative branch “check” the executive branch? • 10) How does the judicial branch “check” the legislative branch? • 11) What do separation of powers and checks and balances prevent? • 12) What is the most important responsibility of being a citizen? • 13) What are other responsibilities of citizens?

12. Questions, part 2 • 14) How old do you have to be to vote in Georgia? • 15) What are other requirements to vote in Georgia? • 16) When are general elections held? • 17) What do voters do in general elections? • 18) Why would other elections be held? • 19) What are political parties? • 20) What are the 2 largest political parties in the U.S.? • 21) Why are minor political parties important?