Foundations of Government
in Georgia
• Georgia’s first state constitution was adopted in 1777. Georgia’s
tenth constitution was approved in 1983.
• According to Georgia’s constitution, all government originates
with the people . What do you think this means?
Government gets its authority from the citizens because the citizens
choose their representatives and hold them accountable.
• According to Georgia’s constitution, “Government is instituted
for the protection, security , and benefit of the people.”
• How do voters control the state government? By electing state
officials.
• The current Georgia constitution has 11 articles. The first article
has 28 paragraphs that explain the rights of Georgia’s citizens.
This is called Georgia’s Bill of Rights.
Structure of Georgia’s Constitution
• Just like the U.S. Constitution, Georgia’s constitution divides the
power and responsibility of government into three branches –
legislative, executive, and judicial. Separating government
powers creates a limited government.
• Checks and balances: Each branch of government has some
power to control or prevent some actions of the other two
branches. This system ensures that no one branch becomes too
powerful.
Separation of Powers and
Checks & Balances
• When the legislative branch (General Assembly)
passes a law, the executive branch (governor)
can veto it if he/she does not agree with it.
• The legislative branch can override the veto with
2/3 majority.
• Once the bill becomes law, the judicial branch
(Supreme Court of Georgia) determines if the
law is constitutional.
• If the law is ruled unconstitutional, the law is
null and void.
Example of Checks and Balances
Judicial Branch
Determines whether or
not laws are
constitutional
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
can veto bills passed by
the legislative branch
can impeach officials
in the executive or
judicial branches
can call special sessions
of the legislature
can override
governor’s veto of
bills to make them law
Must confirm
appointments made
by the governor
Checks and Balances
Judicial Branch
Determines whether or
not laws are
constitutional
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
can veto bills passed by
the legislative branch
can impeach officials
in the executive or
judicial branches
can call special sessions
of the legislature
can override
governor’s veto of
bills to make them law
Must confirm
appointments made
by the governor
Checks and Balances
Judicial Branch
Determines whether or
not laws are
constitutional
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
can veto bills passed by
the legislative branch
can impeach officials
in the executive or
judicial branches
can call special sessions
of the legislature
can override
governor’s veto of
bills to make them law
Must confirm
appointments made
by the governor
Checks and Balances
• The Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution and the
Bill of Rights in the Georgia Constitution are
similar.
• What are the rights guaranteed in the First
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
Freedom of religion, of speech, of the press and
the right to assemble and petition the
government.
Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
Some of the responsibilities of citizens are:
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Running for office if you choose
Voting for candidates for elected office
Upholding (obeying) the laws of the state and nation
Participating in juries
Possibly serving in a branch of the military during wartime
Paying taxes
Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
• There are three qualifications to be able to
vote in Georgia:
1. You must be 18 years old
2. You must be a citizen of the United States
3. You must be a legal resident of Georgia and
the county in which you register
Voting Qualifications
• Primary elections are held in July or August of
even-numbered years to determine the candidate for the
Republican and Democratic parties. You do not need to
be a member of a party to vote in the primaries.
• A general election is held in November in at least every
even-numbered year. Other elections are held as
needed to select public officials at all levels of
government: national, state, county, or city.
• In order to change the constitution, proposed
amendments to Georgia’s constitution must be approved
by the people of Georgia. Citizens sometimes vote on
other laws as well; when a law appears on the ballot for
voter approval, it is called a referendum.
Elections
• Political parties are organized groups of people who
share common ideals and who seek to influence
government policies and decisions by electing their
party to government office.
• The two main political parties in the United States and
Georgia are the Republican party and the Democratic
party. People who are not a part of these two major
parties are usually referred to as independents.
Role of Political Parties
• Third-party candidates (from minor political parties)
serve an important role in the democratic process.
Minor parties bring attention to specific minority ideas.
These ideas can influence the thinking and the
principles of party leaders in the two major political
groups. In other words, third parties are important
because they give more people a way to express their
ideas.
Role of Political Parties
• Georgia was controlled by one political party for much of its
history. Today, both Democrats and Republicans hold
political office in Georgia.
Which general statement is true about political parties in
Georgia over the past fifty years?
A. Georgia has been dominated by three parties.
B. Georgia has been dominated by the Republican Party.
C. Georgia has changed from a one-party system to a
two-party system.
D. Georgia has changed from being a two-party system to a
one-party system.
Role of Political Parties
• Georgia was controlled by one political party for much of its
history. Today, both Democrats and Republicans hold
political office in Georgia.
Which general statement is true about political parties in
Georgia over the past fifty years?
A. Georgia has been dominated by three parties.
B. Georgia has been dominated by the Republican Party.
C. Georgia has changed from a one-party system to a
two-party system.
D. Georgia has changed from being a two-party system to a
one-party system.
Role of Political Parties
• "I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the
principles for which it stands; Wisdom, Justice, and
Moderation."
• The three principles of the Pledge of Allegiance can
also be found on the state flag of Georgia.
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."