Foundations of Georgia’s Government

1. Foundations of Georgia’s Government Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Citizens’ Rights and Responsibilities

2. Georgia’s Government What is the Georgia state constitution? • It is the governing document that explains the laws, governmental offices, and citizens rights and responsibilities in the state of Georgia.

3. 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

4. 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 • Article VII: Taxation & Finance • Article VIII: Education • Article IX: Counties & Municipal Corporations • Article X: Amendments to the Constitution • Article XI: Miscellaneous Provisions

5. Georgia’s Government What are the three branches of government? • The three branches of government are the: • Executive Branch: Carries out laws • Legislative Branch: Make laws • Judicial Branch: Evaluates or reviews laws

6. Structure of U.S. Government

7. Structure of Georgia Government Notice the similarities between the structure of the national and state governments. State Supreme Court Governor’s Mansion State Capital General Assembly Governor Lieutenant Governor

8. Structure of Georgia Government

9. Georgia’s Government How do the separate branches of government ensure equal power among the branches? • When the U.S. Constitution was written, the writers wanted to separate the powers of the branches of government so no one branch would have all or most of the power. • They also included a system of “checks and balances” to keep the branches of government accountable to one another. • The Georgia constitution was modeled after the U.S. Constitution.

10. Checks and Balances EXECUTIVE BRANCH LEGISLATIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL BRANCH

11. Checks and Balances EXECUTIVE BRANCH Veto legislation; Call special session Reviews Executive Orders Override veto; Confirm appointments; Impeach officials Appoints some court officials Determines whether laws are constitutional Can propose constitutional changes; Impeach officials LEGISLATIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL BRANCH

12. Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities What are the rights and responsibilities of Georgia citizens? • The rights of Georgia citizens are found in Article I of the Georgia state constitution. • Modeled after the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights. • Along with our rights we have responsibilities • We must control our actions so we don’t harm others.

13. Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities What are the rights and responsibilities of Georgia citizens? • Right to freedom of religion • Right to keep and bear arms • Right to freedom of speech • Right to life, liberty and property • Right to courts • Right to trial by jury • Right to a lawyer • Right to assemble • Right to reasonable search & seizure

14. Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities What actions could take these rights away? • Actions that harm others • Actions that are immoral • Actions that break laws • Actions that infringe on others’ rights

15. Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities What are the responsibilities of Georgia citizens? • Wait!Don’t think that the government should only do things for the citizens. The citizens also have responsibilities to the government. Voting is an example of a citizen responsibility. • Other examples of citizen responsibilities: • Jury Duty • Serving in military when required.

16. Election & Voter Requirements • 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 What are the requirements to vote in Georgia?

17. Election & Voter Requirements • May not vote if they have been convicted of a felony until they complete their sentence. • May not vote if they have been found by a judge to have certain mental disabilities Why can’t some people vote?

18. Election & Voter Requirements • Remember, the citizens or voters hold the power by electing officials to represent them and their interests. • A general election is held in November on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in every even-numbered year. • This is when national and state officials are elected. • Other elections are held to elect officials or vote for issues, such as an increase in the sales tax. • Run-off elections or specials elections are held when neither candidate receives at least 50% of the vote plus one. When are elections held in Georgia?

19. 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 • Minor political parties also exist (Libertarian, Tea Party) • Independents are not part of a particular political party

20. Political Parties What are primary elections? • Elections that select candidates who represent a political party at the General Election • 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