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

Foundations of Georgia’s Government

Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Citizens’ Rights and

Responsibilties

Georgia’s Government• It is the governing document

that explains the laws, governmental offices, and citizens rights and responsibilities in the state of Georgia.

What is the Georgia state constitution?

Georgia’s Government• Structure of the Georgia state

constitution:– Preamble (Introduction)– Articles (11 main articles)

–Sections–Paragraphs

What is the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution?

Georgia’s Government• 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

What is the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution?

Georgia’s Government• The three branches of

government are the:– Executive Branch: Carries out

laws– Legislative Branch: Make

laws– Judicial Branch: Evaluates or

reviews laws

What are the three branches of government?

Structure of U.S. Government

Structure of Georgia Government

State Capital

Governor’s Mansion

State Supreme

Court

General Assembly

Governor Lieutenant Governor

Notice the

similarities between

the structure of the

national and state

governments.

Structure of Georgia GovernmentExecutive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch

Carries out the laws. Makes the laws. Evaluates or reviews the laws.

Governor: Nathan Deal (Republican) 82nd Governor

Lieutenant Governor:Casey Cagle (Republican)

Also includes the head officials of these departments:Department of Agriculture, Attorney General, GA Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, Public Service Commission, Secretary of State, and State School Superintendent.

General Assembly

House of Representatives: 180 members representing the citizens of Georgia.

Senate: 56 members representing the citizens of Georgia.

Courts at the state, county and city levels.

Supreme Court

Juvenile Courts

Court of Appeals

Superior Courts

Probate Courts

Magistrate Courts

Georgia’s Government• 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.

How do the separate branches of government ensure equal power among the branches?

Checks and Balances

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL BRANCH

Checks and Balances

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL BRANCH

Veto

legis

lation

; Call

spec

ial se

ssio

n

Overri

de ve

to; C

onfir

m

appo

intm

ents;

Impe

ach

officia

ls

Determines whether laws are constitutional

Can propose constitutional changes; Impeach officials

Reviews Executive Orders

Appoints some court offi

cials

Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities

• 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.

What are the rights and responsibilities of Georgia citizens?

Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities

• 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

What are the rights and responsibilities of Georgia citizens?

Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities

• Actions that harm others

• Actions that are immoral• Actions that break laws• Actions that infringe on

other’s rights

What actions could take these rights away?

Georgia Citizen Rights and Responsibilities

• 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.

What are the responsibilities of Georgia citizens?

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?

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?

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?

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

What are political parties?

Political Parties• 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

What are primary elections?

Voter Scenarios

• Tammy has just moved to Atlanta from Houston, TX. It is the day before the election and she has decided that she wants to vote in this year’s presidential election. Can she vote in this year’s election? Why or why not?

Voter Scenarios

• Adam has lived in Conyers for a year and a half and loves getting involved in local politics. He has proof of residency proving that he is a legal resident of Georgia. However, Adam never changed his driver’s license from his home state of New York. The election is next week. Can he vote in the election? Why or why not?

Voter Scenarios

• Sam has just been released from prison for robbery – a felony crime. He is not on probation and is anxious to find a job and get on with his life. His friends are encouraging him to vote for Senator Barack Obama for president. Sam is hesitant because he doesn’t know if he is eligible to vote. Can he vote in the election? Why or why not?

Voter Scenarios

• Tasha just received a speeding ticket in DeKalb county. She’s never been in trouble with the law before and is nervous that this speeding ticket will go on her record. Can she vote in the election? Why or why not?

Voter Scenarios

• Jake’s 18th birthday on Friday. The Friday before the election. He really likes John McCain and wants to help him win the presidency. Can he vote in the election? Why or why not?

Voter Scenarios

• Renee currently lives in Covington, GA (Newton County), but she is still registered to vote in Cobb County. The election is three weeks away. Can she vote in the election? Why or why not?

Voter Scenarios

• Tony has suffered from many mental disabilities most of his adult life. He works at the local grocery store and owns his own home. The neighborhood kids even call him the crazy man because he sits on his front porch and whispers to himself. He is registered to vote. Can he vote in the election? Why or why not?

Voter Scenarios

• Dr. Smith is what some call a “mad scientist.” He is a genius in the sciences and has even came close to discovering a cure for cancer. He is a celebrated doctor and scientists. Unfortunately, last year Dr. Smith was committed to a mental institution by a judge due to mental distress he suffered after the death of his cat. Can he vote in the election? Why or why not?