Executive Branch of
Georgia Government
GPS SS8CG3
The student will analyze the role of the executive branch in
Georgia state government
a. Explain the qualifications, term, election, and duties of the
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
b. Describe the organization of the executive branch with
emphasis on major policy areas of state programs; include
education, human resources, public safety,
transportation, economic development, and natural
resources.
c. Evaluate how the executive branch fulfills its role through
state agencies that administer programs and enforce laws.
Qualifications, terms, election, and duties of
the Governor and Lt. Governor
Governor
Lt. Governor
Qualifications
30 years old
U.S. citizen for 15 years
GA citizen for 6 years
30 years old
U.S. citizen for 15 years
GA citizen for 6 years
Term of Office
4 years
May run for and serve a
second term
4 years
Unlimited terms
Election
Elected by the citizens
Runs separately with Lt.
Gov.
Can be from different
political party
Elected by the citizens
Runs separately with Gov.
Can be from different
political party
Duties of the Georgia Governor
1. Formal Powers->given in state Constitution
a. Executive (appoint state officials and enforce
laws, commander-in-chief, State of State speech)
b. Legislative (sign or veto bills, recommend
bills and budgets, calls special session of
Assembly)
c. Judicial (pardon offenders, appoint fill-in
judges)
2. Informal Powers-> (communicate with public,
represent state with other states or Federal govt.)
Duties of the Lt. Governor
Executive—serves as governor if current
governor dies or is too sick
Legislative—presides over State Senate
Decides on committee memberships
Chooses committee chairpersons
How the President and Governor Compare
Similarities
1. Appoints government/state officials
2. Elected to four year term (no more than two consecutive)
3. Commander-in-chief
4. Calls extra legislative sessions
5. Recommends bills and budgets
6. Vetoes or sign bills into law
7. Make treaties with foreign governments
8. Pardons offenders
9. “State of Union (State)” Address
10. Honorary head of political party
How the President and Governor Compare
Differences
 Governor eligible @ 30 years old; President
eligible @ 35 years old
 Governor elected by popular vote
 Governor cannot appoint judges or diplomats
 Governor and Lt. Governor elected
separately
 Voters elect major (cabinet-level) executive
officials
State Elected Officials
(cabinet-level positions elected by voters)
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Commissioner of Agriculture
State Attorney General
Commissioner of Labor
Commissioner of Insurance
Public Service Commissioner
Secretary of State
State School Superintendent
Appointed (Statutory) Officials and Boards
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Department of Human Resources
Department of Natural Resources
Department of Juvenile Justice
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
Department of Corrections
Board of Regents (UGA)
Board of Public Safety