Articles – GA Constitution The Basic Structure of the Georgia State Constitution Legislators began writing Georgia’s current constitution in 1977, and it was approved by the state’s citizens in 1983. The constitution is broken up into 11 articles and is 89 pages long. The articles outline the rights, rules, regulations, and procedures for both citizens and the state’s government.

• Article I: Bill of Rights • Article II: Voting and Elections • Article III: Legislative Branch

• Article V: Executive Branch • Article VI: Judicial Branch • Article IV: Constitutional Boards and Commissions Parole / Public Service / Veterans / Transportation / Etc. • 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 to the Constitution • Article XI: Miscellaneous Provisions

Separation of Powers Government of Georgia Separation of powers between the three branches of government Powers to check and balance the actions of the other branches. A simple way to describe these powers is that: Legislative branch (The Georgia General Assembly) makes the laws Executive branch (headed by the Governor) carries out and enforces the laws Judicial branch (headed by the Georgia Supreme Court) determines the constitutionality of the laws

Checks and Balances The concept of checks and balances For Example: Limiting roles of each branch So one branch does not become too powerful If one branch makes an error, another branch can set it right, or balance it. For Example: If the General Assembly passes a law that the governor does not agree with he or she can veto it. Congress then has the option if it can gather enough votes to override the veto. Once the bill becomes a law, the Supreme Court determines if it is constitutional or not. If the law is ruled unconstitutional, then it is null and void.

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SS8CG1.c - Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Bill of Rights RESPONSIBILITIES Vote Pay Taxes Obey Laws Serve on Jury Selective Service Life, Liberty, and Property Freedom of Religion Freedom of Speech and Press Right to Bear Arms Right to Assemble and Petition Right to Trial by Jury Protection from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures

Voting Qualification Georgia Qualifications: Must be a citizen the United States Must be 18 years old by election day Must be a legal resident of Georgia & the county where you want to vote In addition, the voter cannot currently be serving time in jail for a felony offense or ruled to be mentally incompetent

Elections in GA Several locations where Georgians can register to vote. Include city, county and state offices, and libraries. Download a voter registration form online and mail it to the Georgia secretary of state’s office. People are only allowed to vote: Polling Place in their district (precinct), or via absentee ballot. Once registered, vote in three types of elections: Primary General Special Run-off election

Primary Elections Members of the Republican and Democratic party vote for candidates to run for a specific office (governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of state.) Open elections and the voter does not have to be a member of the party to vote. Held in July or August during even numbered years.

General Election Winners from both parties’ primaries, along with members of third parties and independents, compete for political offices. Held in even number years Take place on the second Tuesday of November.

Special Election Used to present a special issue to voters or to fill a vacancy.

Run Off Election If the candidate does not receive more than 50% of the vote. This can take place in the primary or the general election. Voters sometimes have the opportunity to vote on a law. This is called a Referendum.

Political Parties America’s political system is often called a “two party” system. Dominated by two parties Since the 1860s the two major parties have been the Republican and the Democratic. Role: groups of like-minded individuals who share common beliefs and ideas to work together in hopes of electing their members to political offices. Offer Voters a choice – Best represents their beliefs/interests Georgia was dominated by one party for much of its history, though today, Republicans and Democrats both hold elected offices. Several minor or “third parties” parties. Can cause run-off elections. An example was in the 1992 U.S. Senate race, when a member of the Libertarian Party took 3% of the vote causing neither Wyche Fowler (D) nor Paul Coverdale(R) to win a majority of the vote. This happened again in the 2008 senate race when Libertarian Allen Buckley caused a run-off between Saxby Chambliss (R) and Jim Martin (D).

State Flag Georgia’s current state flag was adopted in 2003. It has three red and white stripes and the state coat of arms is in the upper left corner on a blue background. The coat of arms has an arch that symbolizes the constitution and three pillars that represent the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The words wisdom, justice, and moderation are wrapped around the pillars.

The Pledge In 1935, the Georgia legislature adopted the Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia Flag. “I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands: Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation.” The three important principles of the Pledge of Allegiance are the same ones displayed on the coat of arms.

3 Principles Wisdom reminds the legislative branch to be wise in creating laws. Justice appeals to the judicial branch for fair and just decisions. Moderation urges the executive branch to carry out laws calmly within the boundaries of the law.

Assignment (100 points) Students will work in groups of two to create a trifold brochure (Each category is 20 points): The Brochure must include the following Creation of their own political party Name Symbol Beliefs of that party Can be a slogan An upcoming Election Must have date, who is running for office and location Voter Rights and Responsibilities & Qualifications Responsibility to vote to exercise your right to vote Age of voter and how they can register to vote The GA flag somewhere on the brochure incorporating the Pledge and identifying Wisdom, Justice and Moderation. YOU MAY NEED TO WORK SOME AT HOME TONIGHT!!!!!