Download 17-Georgia Constitution-11fgixh

Georgia’s New State
Constitution
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The Symbol for Georgia’s government is the
State Seal. It includes four key elements that
tell us about our state’s government.
First: Three columned structure which
symbolizes the three branches of government:
legislative, executive, and judicial.
Second: The columns are connected by an arch
which represents the Georgia Constitution that
unifies the three branches
Third: 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.
Fourth: 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.
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Structure of the Constitution
• Legislators began writing our current constitution in
1977 and it was approved by Georgia citizens in 1983
• The constitution is broken up into a preamble,11
articles and is 89 pages long
• It outlines the rights, rules, regulations, and
procedures for both the state’s citizens and the state’s
government.
11 Articles
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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
Georgia’s Bill of Rights-Rights of Citizens
• Life, Liberty, and Property
– Not without due process
• Freedom of Conscience
– 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.
GEORGIA ELECTIONS
Primary Elections:
General Elections
 Members of the Republican and
Democratic party vote for
candidates to run for a specific
office.
 Governor
 Lt. Governor
 Secretary of State
 Election where the winners
from both parties’ primaries,
along with members of third
parties and independents
compete for political offices.
 Held July or August during even
numbered years.
 Held even numbered years
on second Tuesday of
November
OTHER ELECTION TERMS
 Special election- an election used to present a special issue to voters or to fill
a vacancy (like last Tuesday’s Ed-Splost vote)
 Run-off- if a candidate does not receive more than 50% of the vote, then
there is a run-off election
 Referendum- when voters have the opportunity to vote on a law. (when
changes are being made to the state constitution)
 Precinct- your district (location of your polling place)
 Incumbent- is the current holder of a political office
SEPARATION OF POWER &
CHECKS AND BALANCES
Can interpret constitutionality of
laws.
Can confirm or impeach judicial
appointments, such as Supreme
Court justices.