Comparing the US and Georgia Constitutions
• Preamble
• US Constitution: We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure the domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
•
• Georgia: To perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve the peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizen and of the family, and transmit to posperity the enjoyment of liberty, we the people of Georgia, relying on the protection and guidance of almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

1. What words appear in both the US and Georgia Constitution?
2. Are there any unfamiliar words?
3. What is the most important purpose of each of these constitutions?
Why do you think that?
4. What themes do both documents share?
5. What are key differences between the two documents?

Comparing the US and Georgia Constitutions
• Articles
• US Constitution:
• Article 1: The Legislative Branch
• Article 2: The Executive Branch
• Article 3: The Judicial Branch
• Article 4: Relations Among States
• Article 5: The Amendment Process
• Article 6: National Supremacy
• Article 7: Ratification Process
• Amendments 1-10: The Bill of Rights
• Amendments 11-26: Other Amendments
Georgia:
Article 1: The Bill of Rights
Article 2: Voting and Elections
Article 3: Legislative Branch
Article 4: Constitution Boards & Commissions
Article 5: Executive Branch
Article 6: Judicial Branch
Article 7: Taxation and Finance
Article 8: Education
Article 9: Counties & Municipal Corporations
Article 10: Amendments to the Constitution
Article 11: Miscellaneous Provisions

1. What is the most important article of US Constitution?
Why do you think that?
2. What is the most important article of the Georgia
Constitution? Why do you think that?
3. What is the second most important article of the US
Constitution? Why?
4. What is the second most important article of the Georgia
Constitution? Why?

Comparing the US and Georgia Constitutions
Amendment Process
US Constitution:
•
Amendments may be proposed by a vote of two-thirds of the members of both
Houses of Congress or by a constitutional convention.
• Amendments must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by special state conventions.
• Georgia:
• Amendments may be proposed by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses of the Georgia
Legislature.
•
Amendments must be ratified by a majority vote of the general electorate in a statewide referendum.

1. Who ratifies the US Constitution?
2. Who ratifies the Georgia Constitution?
3. Which is more difficult to change, the US Constitution or the Georgia Constitution? Why do you think that?

Georgia Constitution
Article II: Voting and Elections
SECTION I.
METHOD OF VOTING; RIGHT TO REGISTER AND VOTE
• Paragraph I. Method of voting. Elections by the people shall be by secret ballot and shall be conducted in accordance with procedures provided by law .
• Paragraph II. Right to register and vote. Every person who is a citizen of the United States and a resident of Georgia as defined by law , who is at least 18 years of age and not disenfranchised by this article, and who meets minimum residency requirements as provided by law shall be entitled to vote at any election by the people. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the registration of electors.
• Paragraph III. Exceptions to right to register and vote. (a) No person who has been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude may register, remain registered, or vote except upon completion of the sentence.
– (b) No person who has been judicially determined to be mentally incompetent may register, remain registered , or vote unless the disability has been removed.