Unit 5 Georgia’s Constitution
Georgia Performance Standards:
SS8CG1: The student will describe the role of
citizens under Georgia’s Constitution.
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.
• The state has had 10 constitutions.
• 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
State Motto
• Georgia’s motto is
Wisdom, Justice, and
Moderation
• It is located on the state
flag and seal.
Georgia State Government:
Executive Branch, Legislative Branch,
& Judicial Branch
Georgia Performance Standards:
• SS8CG3: The student will analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia
state government.
• SS8CG2: The student will analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia
State government.
• SS8CG4: The student will analyze the role of the judicial branch in Georgia
state government.
Branches of Georgia’s Government
• Georgia state government is divided into 3
branches: Executive, Legislative, & Judicial
• This helps to ensure that one branch does not
have too much power = Checks and Balances
Executive Branch-Governor of Georgia
• Nathan Deal was sworn in as
Georgia’s 82nd Governor on
January 10, 2011.
• Qualifications for Governor:
A. U.S. citizen for 5 years
B. Resident of Georgia for the 6
years preceding the election
C. 30 years old or older
• Role = Enforces Georgia’s laws
Lieutenant Governor
• On November 7, 2006, Casey Cagle made
Georgia history by becoming the 1st Republican
ever elected to the state’s 2nd highest office.
• He was re-elected as the 11th Lt. Governor on
November 2, 2010.
• Qualifications for Lt . Governor are:
1. Must be a U.S. citizen for 5 years
2. Lived in Georgia for six years
3. 30 years old or older
• The Lt. Governor of Georgia has no restrictions
on the number of times he or she can hold the
office.
• Role = the Lt. Governor's primary job is to
serve as President of the Georgia Senate.
Takes over as Governor if the Governor dies,
resigns, or is impeached.
Georgia State Executive Branch:
Support Officers
Dr. John Barge
State Superintendent
of Education: Oversees
Georgia’s public
education
Brian Kemp
Secretary of State:
Oversees state
elections & official
records
Sam Olens
Attorney General:
State lawyer
Georgia State Executive Branch:
Support Officers
Ralph Hudgens
Commissioner of Insurance:
Oversees the insurance
industry in the state
Tommy Irvin
Commissioner of
Agriculture: Oversees
farming, crop
production, &
agribusiness in the
state
Mark Butler
Commissioner of Labor:
Oversees employment and
Human Resources in the
state
Georgia’s Legislative Branch
• The General Assembly’s role is
creating state laws.
• It was established by the Georgia
Constitution of 1777.
• This bicameral (2-houses)
legislature is divided into the
House of Representatives (180+
members) & the Senate (56
members).
• Every 2 years, Georgians elect
these members.
Georgia’s Legislative Branch
• The General Assembly meets for 40 days,
beginning the 2nd Monday in January.
• During this 40-day session, many bills (proposals
for laws) are proposed. Some bills are passed
into laws by a majority vote from the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
• These laws will:
1. Regulate people’s behavior
2. Provide for local government
3. Allow the state to raise and spend money
4. Provide state services
Georgia’s Legislative Branch
• In the General Assembly, Georgia’s Lieutenant
Governor presides over the Senate.
• The Speaker of the House of Representatives presides
over the House of Representatives
• In the event that both the Governor and Lieutenant
Governor cannot fulfill their terms, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives will become the Governor.
• If the Governor does not support a proposed bill, he or
she can veto (reject it).
• Then, 2/3 majority vote from the House of
Representatives and the Senate can override the
Governor’s veto (rejection) of a bill.
Georgia’s Judicial Branch
Georgia’s Judicial Branch
• Its role is to interpret and apply the laws that
the General Assembly creates each year.
• State courts handle two classes of disputes:
1. Civil: The court helps to settle disputes
between two or more parties.
2. Criminal: The state takes legal action against
someone who has been arrested for
committing a crime (breaking the law).
Fourth Branch
• This additional branch focuses on Georgia’s
citizens and their roles.
• The roles of the citizens are:
1. Voting: Must be 18 years old or older
2. Paying Taxes: Helps to fund & run the
government
3. Being a good citizen: Obey laws & volunteer
in your community