SETTING THE FOUNDATION
BUILDING GEORGIA’S GOVERNMENT
FROM THE GROUND UP
Georgia’s Constitution, Separation of Powers,
Checks and Balances, Citizens’ Rights and
Responsibilities
SS8CG1

I can describe the role of citizens under
Georgia’s constitution.
 a.
I can explain the basic structure of the Georgia
state constitution.
 b. I can explain the concepts of separation of
powers and checks and balances.
 c. I can describe the rights and responsibilities of
citizens.
 d. I can explain voting qualifications and elections
in Georgia.
GROUP INSTRUCTIONS
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You are to create a colorful, creative, and informative poster that covers the
role of citizens. Your groups poster is on Georgia’s Constitution. You are to
include the answers to the questions below on your chart paper however
you are not to write the questions and information should be in your own
words.
Your poster should include a picture that relates to your topic.
Once you have answered the questions you are to create a 5 quiz questions
that could be answer based off your poster. This should be created using
Socrative.
All groups members name should be in the lower left hand corner of your
poster.
Questions
 a. What is the purpose of Georgia’s Constitution?
 B. How many Constitutions have Georgia had?
 C. When was the current constitution ratified?
 D. What does Georgia’s constitution include?
 E. How many parts are there to Georgia’s Constitution? (Structure)
GEORGIA’S GOVERNMENT
What is the
Georgia state
constitution?

It is the governing document
that outlines the foundation
of Georgia’s government: the
structure of the legislative,
executive, and judicial
branches, governmental
offices, and citizens’ rights
and responsibilities in the
state of Georgia.
GEORGIA’S CONSTITUTION
Georgia’s Constitution is a written set of
guidelines for operating the state’s government.
 It is the highest set of laws for the state.
 Georgia’s Constitution outlines the following:
1. Structure of government
2. Elections
3. Three branches of government
4. Taxes
5. Public Education
6. Local Government
7. Process for amending (making changes) to the
Constitution

GEORGIA’S GOVERNMENT
How many
constitutions
has Georgia
had?
Georgia has had 10
constitutions.
 The current constitution
was ratified in 1983.
 It is modeled after the U.S.
Constitution.

GEORGIA’S GOVERNMENT
What is the
basic
structure of
the Georgia
state
constitution?

Structure of the Georgia state
constitution:
 Preamble (Introduction)
 Articles (11 main articles)
Sections
Paragraphs
GEORGIA’S GOVERNMENT
What is the
basic
structure of
the Georgia
state
constitution?
Article I: Bill of Rights
 Article II: Voting & Elections
 Article III: Legislative Branch
 Article IV: Constitutional
Boards & Commissions
 Article V: Executive Branch
 Article VI: Judicial Branch

GEORGIA’S GOVERNMENT
What is the
basic
structure of
the Georgia
state
constitution?
Article VII: Taxation & Finance
 Article VIII: Education
 Article IX: Counties &
Municipal Corporations
 Article X: Amendments to the
Constitution
 Article XI: Miscellaneous
Provisions
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GROUP INSTRUCTIONS
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You are to create a colorful, creative, and informative poster that covers the role
of citizens. Your groups poster is on Rights and Responsibilities. You are to
include the answers to the questions below on your chart paper however you are
not to write the questions and information should be in your own words.
Your poster should include a picture that relates to your topic.
Once you have answered the questions you are to create a 5 quiz questions that
could be answer based off your poster. This should be created using Socrative.
All groups members name should be in the lower left hand corner of your poster.
Questions
 a. Define Rights, Responsibilities and Duty.
 B. List some rights of Georgia citizens. (make sure to include those different
from the U.S. Bill of Rights)
 C. List some responsibilities of Georgia citizens.
 D. Where do the rights of Georgia citizens come from? (What document?)
GEORGIA CITIZEN
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What are the
rights and
responsibilities
of Georgia
citizens?
Article I of the Georgia
Constitution outlines the
Rights of the citizens of
Georgia.
 The first constitution of
Georgia supported the basic
rights of the citizens.
 The current rights are
modeled after the U.S.
Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

GEORGIA CITIZEN
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What is the
difference
between a right,
responsibility
and duty?
Rights: Something citizens
possess that government can
only take away in special
circumstances.
 Responsibilities: Something
citizens should do, but are not
required to.
 Duty: An obligation of
citizens, something citizens
are required to do by law.

GEORGIA CITIZEN
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What are the
rights and
responsibilities
of Georgia
citizens?
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Similar rights and freedoms to the
U.S. Constitution
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Right to freedom of religion
Right to keep and bear arms
Right to freedom of speech
Right to assemble
Etc.
Different rights and freedoms from
the U.S. Constitution

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Right to life, liberty and property
Freedom of conscience
Banishment and whipping as
punishment for a crime
Fishing and hunting
GEORGIA CITIZEN
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What actions  Actions
could take
others
these rights
away?
 Actions
that harm
that break laws
 Actions that infringe on
others’ rights
GEORGIA CITIZEN
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What are the
responsibilities
of Georgia
citizens?

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The citizens also have
responsibilities to the government.
Examples of citizen
responsibilities/duties:
 Jury Duty
 Paying taxes
 Serving in military when
required.
 Volunteering
 Voting
GROUP INSTRUCTIONS
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You are to create a colorful, creative, and informative poster that covers the
role of citizens. Your groups poster is on Voting Requirement. You are to
include the answers to the questions below on your chart paper however
you are not to write the questions and information should be in your own
words.
Your poster should include a picture that relates to your topic.
Once you have answered the questions you are to create a 5 quiz questions
that could be answer based off your poster. This should be created using
Socrative.
All groups members name should be in the lower left hand corner of your
poster.
Questions
 a. What are the requirements to vote in Georgia?
 B. Who cannot vote in Georgia?
 C. Why is voting so important?
VOTER REQUIREMENTS
Why do
people vote?
The most common way
citizens become involved
politically is through voting.
 When citizens vote they
officially voice their opinion
about who they want to
represent them or help to
decide major questions, issues
or proposed laws.
 Citizens voting has a major
influence on government
decision making.
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VOTER REQUIREMENTS
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What are the
requirements
to vote in
Georgia?
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You must be 18 years of age or
older.
Be a citizen of the U.S.
Citizen of Georgia and live in the
county where you wish to vote.
Be registered with the Secretary
of State’s office 30 days before
election.
Have a VALID form of
identification – such as a voter
ID card, driver’s license or state
issued ID
VOTER REQUIREMENTS
Why can’t
some people
vote?

A person may not vote if
they are serving a felony
sentence.
 Once
the sentence
requirements are complete,
the person may vote again.

A person may not vote if
they have been found by a
judge to be mentally
incompetent.
GROUP INSTRUCTIONS
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You are to create a colorful, creative, and informative poster that covers the
role of citizens. Your groups poster is on Political Parties. You are to include
the answers to the questions below on your chart paper however you are not
to write the questions and information should be in your own words.
Your poster should include a picture that relates to your topic.
Once you have answered the questions you are to create a 5 quiz questions
that could be answer based off your poster. This should be created using
Socrative.
All groups members name should be in the lower left hand corner of your
poster.
Questions
 a. Define Political Parties.
 B. What are the two major Political Parties?
 C. What is the function of political parties? What do they do?
 D. What are some minor parties in the U.S.?
POLITICAL PARTIES
What are
political
parties?

Groups of people who join
together because of shared
ideas and interests
 Help
voters know what a
candidate stands for

Two major political parties
in US:
 Democrats
 Republicans
POLITICAL PARTIES
What are
political
parties?

Minor political parties also
exist:
 Libertarian
 Green
Party
 Reform Party

Independents are not part of
a particular political party
POLITICAL PARTIES
What is the
function of
political parties?
Recruiting and nominating
candidates.
 Educating the electorate
(voters) about campaign
issues.
 Helping candidates win
elections.
 Monitoring actions of
officeholders.
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GROUP INSTRUCTIONS
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You are to create a colorful, creative, and informative poster that covers the
role of citizens. Your groups poster is on Elections. You are to include the
answers to the questions below on your chart paper however you are not to
write the questions and information should be in your own words.
Your poster should include a picture that relates to your topic.
Once you have answered the questions you are to create a 5 quiz questions
that could be answer based off your poster. This should be created using
Socrative.
All groups members name should be in the lower left hand corner of your
poster.
Questions
 a. Define each type of election: Primary, General, Special
 B. When are General Elections Held?
 C. What is the purpose of a run-off?
 D. What is a referendum?
ELECTIONS
Elections which select
candidates to represent a
political party at the General
Election (Governor, Lt.
Governor, Secretary of State)
 When Georgia was a one-party
state, these were the only
elections that truly counted.
 Even now, if the only one
party is represented at the
Primary level, the Primary
determines the election.

What are
primary
elections?
ELECTIONS
In some states, voters must
register as a Democrat or a
Republican to be able to vote
in primary elections
 In Georgia, any voter may
vote in any party’s primary
election at the state level

What are
primary
elections?
ELECTIONS
An election where the
winners from both parties’
primaries, along with
members of third parties and
independents, compete for
political offices.
 The elections are also held in
even number years and take
place on the second Tuesday
of November.

What are
general
elections?
Quoted directly from Grade Eight Teacher notes – page 93
ELECTIONS
What are
special
elections?
What are runoffs?
What is a
referendum?

An election to vote for a vacancy
or special issue.
If neither candidate gets 50% of
the vote, a run-off is held to
determine the winner. (at the
primary or general elections)
 Voters are allowed to vote on
law.

GROUP INSTRUCTIONS
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You are to create a colorful, creative, and informative poster that covers the
role of citizens. Your groups poster is on Georgia State Motto/Flag. You are
to include the answers to the questions below on your chart paper however
you are not to write the questions and information should be in your own
words.
Your poster should include a picture that relates to your topic.
Once you have answered the questions you are to create a 5 quiz questions
that could be answer based off your poster. This should be created using
Socrative.
All groups members name should be in the lower left hand corner of your
poster.
Questions
 a. What is Georgia’s motto?
 B. Where is it located?
 C. What is the Georgia Pledge of Allegiance?
 D. What do the words in the motto mean? What are their purpose?
STATE MOTTO
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Georgia’s motto is
Wisdom, Justice, and
Moderation
It is located on the
state flag and seal.
It is also in the Georgia
Pledge of Allegiance
“I pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia
flag and to the principles for which it
stands: Wisdom, Justice and
Moderation.”
STATE MOTTO
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Georgia’s current state flag was
adopted in 2003.
The state motto is wrapped around three pillars (they
represent the three branches of government.)
What is the purpose of the words:
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Wisdom: remind legislative branch to be wise in creating
laws.
Justice: appeals to the judicial branch for fair and just
decisions.
Moderation: urges executive branch to carry out laws calmly
and within the boundaries of law.
WORKS CITED
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"Elections." Georgia Secretary of State. N.p., n.d. Web. 13
Oct. 2014.
Esslinger, Erica. "Ericaesslinger." Mrs Essies Georgia
Studies Class. N.p., 12 Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.
"Grade Eight Teacher Notes." (n.d.): N. Pag.
Georgiastandards.org. Georgia Department of Education,
16 Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.