Georgia’s Government and Its Citizens

Today’s Agenda Open: Rights and Responsibility Discussion Work ~ PowerPoint Notes Session: ~ Gradecam Reading Check Close: Small Group EQ Discussion

Standard SS8CG1 The student will describe the role of citizens under Georgia's constitution. Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution. Explain the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Explain voting qualifications and elections in Georgia. Explain the role of political parties in government.

What are the qualifications to vote in Georgia? Essential Question How did the new government assure citizens that it would not impose the oppression of the past monarchy? What is the basic structure of Georgia’s Constitution and how does it protect the separation of powers? What are the rights of American citizens and what responsibilities accompany these basic rights of citizenship? What are the qualifications to vote in Georgia?

“Let’s Activate Our Prior Knowledge” Open “Let’s Activate Our Prior Knowledge” With your group: Discuss your rights as a citizen. Decide on one to share with the class. 2) Discuss your responsibilities as a citizen. Decide on one to share with the class.

Basic Structure of Georgia’s Constitution Article I Bill of Rights Rights of the people Article II Voting and Elections How we vote, right to vote, requirements to vote, elections and holding office Article III Legislative Branch Structure, power, qualifications Article IV Constitutional Boards and Conventions Public Service Commission, State Board of Pardons and Paroles, and others; powers and duties Article V Executive Branch Structure, power, qualifications, term Article VI Judicial Branch Structure/courts, power, qualifications, term Article VII Taxation and Finance What is taxed and why, state budget, state debt Article VIII Education Free public education funded by taxes, state school board, board of regents, local boards of education Article IX Counties and Municipal Corporations City and county governments Article X Amendments to the Constitution How constitution can be amended Article XI Miscellaneous Provisions Boards, commissions, amendments in previous constitutions Georgia has had 10 state constitutions since 1777. Current constitution was approved by citizens of Georgia in 1983.

What Are The 3 Branches of The U.S. Government House of Representatives Senate U.S. Supreme Court Legislature Executive Judicial President Remember to spell “JEL”

What Are The 3 Branches of Our State Government Judicial Branch Supreme Court of Georgia Executive Branch Governor and Lieutenant Governor Legislative Branch Georgia General Assembly Senate House of Representatives

Separation of Powers Executive: Governor and Lieutenant Governor Branch (enforce laws: cops) Legislative: Georgia’s General Assembly Branch (make laws: Senate & House of Representatives) Judicial: Supreme Court of Georgia Branch (interpret laws: can rule laws unconstitutional) **Each Branch Has Its Own Powers**

What Is A “Bill”? A draft of a proposed law presented to Congress for their review and vote of approval of disapproval If the bill is approved it can become a law.

How Does The System Of Check And Balances Work? The General Assembly passes the law, but the governor can veto the bill. If the governor vetoes the bill, the bill can still become law with enough votes from the General Assembly. If the Supreme Court determines that the law is unconstitutional then the law is null and void. **No One Branch Is Stronger Than Another**

What Are Our Rights As Citizens Of Georgia? fishing and hunting life, liberty, and property freedom of religion equal protection under the law don’t have to testify against yourself freedom of speech and the press no excessive bails or fines right to keep and bear arms no cruel and unusual punishment right to assemble and petition no banishment or whipping as punishment right to jury trial right to counsel and to know and have witnesses protected against unlawful searches and seizures

We Know That Our Rights And Freedoms Are Protected We Know That Our Rights And Freedoms Are Protected. But What Are Our Responsibilities As Citizens? Your religious practices must obey laws and cannot harm others 2) Gun owners must obey gun laws 3) You must testify if called to do so by the courts 4) You may be sued if your words harm others **As a citizen, you should always vote**

What are the qualifications to vote in the state of Georgia? You must be a citizen of the United States. You must be 18 years old. You must also be a resident of Georgia and must live in the county where you will vote. You cannot currently be serving time in jail for a felony. You cannot be ruled mentally incompetent.

Types Of Elections Primary Election: select candidates who will represent a political party (all from same party) General Election: candidates from different parties run against each other for a government position Special Election: held between general elections to fill a vacancy Run-off Election: if no one candidate receives 50% of the vote, the top 2 candidates face off in another election Referendum: all voters vote on a single political question

What Are The Role Of Political Parties (PPs)? What Are The Two Main Political Parties In Georgia And The United States? ___________ and _____________ What Are The Role Of Political Parties (PPs)? People join PPs because they share similar ideas Voters do not have to join PPs Most candidates belong to PPs PPs allow voters to know what ideas candidates stand for Candidates try to make their PPs ideas part of our country’s laws Democratic Republican

Gradecam Readings Read each of the 3 sections in your reading packet 2) Answer the questions at the end of each section by bubbling in correct answers on your Gradecam sheet (1-12) 3) When finished, scan your sheet under the Elmo to obtain your grade

Close Discuss EQs with your group. Be prepared to share answers with the class. (G1) How did the new government assure citizens that it would not impose the oppression of the past monarchy? (G2) What is the basic structure of Georgia’s Constitution? (G3) How Georgia’s Constitution protect the separation of powers? (G4) What are the rights of American citizens? (G5) What responsibilities accompany these basic rights of citizenship? (G6) What are the qualifications to vote in Georgia? Hail to the Chief