Georgia Online

Georgia Government

Georgia’s Constitutional Government
Like other states within the United States, Georgia’s government is run according to the laws of its state constitution. Georgia has had 10 state constitutions, and its current constitution dates from 1982. The most recent constitution was rewritten in an attempt to simplify it and reduce the number of amendments.

The Georgia Constitution calls for a bi-cameral state legislature, meaning one that has two houses. The Senate and the House of Representatives pass legislation for the state. The governor leads the executive branch of government that is responsible for carrying out the state’s laws. The judicial branch of government conducts criminal and civil trials and interprets the state’s laws.

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How a Bill Becomes a Law
Every bill that is proposed by the Georgia House or Senate must be read publicly in the legislature. After the bill is officially introduced, the bill is assigned to a committee that reviews it and decides if it deserves a vote. Once the bill has been shaped in the committee, it is voted on in whichever house was considering it. If the bill passes, it is transferred to the other house for a vote. If an amendment is added to the bill by the second house, the bill must be considered again by the house of origin. When the bill is approved by both houses in identical form, it is sent to the governor. The governor can sign the bill or veto it.

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How Georgia’s Local Governments Operate
As you move through your local community, think about how much of what you see is provided by your local government. You will pass schools, police cars, fire stations, libraries, parks, hospitals, and other facilities that are maintained by government offices.

Georgia contains governments that represent both counties and municipalities. Georgia is home to 159 counties, more than 500 municipalities, and 385 special districts. These governments vary in form, but most municipalities are led by a mayor and a city council. Many city governments have departments that are responsible for various local issues. For example, Valdosta, Georgia, has a Department of Utility Services, an Engineering Department, and a Zoning Division.

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Governors of the State of Georgia
Sonny Perdue was elected Governor of Georgia in 2003. He was born in Perry, Georgia. To see the complete list of Georgia’s governors, go to the website maintained by the Georgia Secretary of State
(www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/rs/governors.htm)

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Voting in Georgia
The Office of the Secretary of State maintains the state's election procedures. This office dictates some of the rules on how the state's citizens vote. A voter must be at least 18 years old by election day and must not be serving a jail sentence for a felony conviction.

A citizen may register to vote when applying for a driver's license, at public libraries, and at armed forces recruiting stations. A citizen needs to register only once. However, if a voter's name or address changes, he or she should contact the Board of Registrars. A citizen registering to vote does not have to declare a party preference.

On election day, the voter must present an acceptable form of identification at the polling place. The poll worker finds the voter's name on the poll list, and the voter signs the rolls. When this is finished, the voter casts his or her vote.

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Georgia Constitution
Many states have had several constitutions. Their history, like Georgia's, can be traced by looking at how constitutional law has developed in each state. Georgia's history can be traced throughout its 10 constitutions, the first being adopted in 1777, the current in 1982.

The Georgia Constitution has much in common with the United States Constitution. The constitution sets the size of the state legislature and the role of the executive branch. While there is an attempt in the constitution to limit the power of the executive branch, the governor still has much power. Since the governor is responsible for preparing the state's budget, the office determines the shape of the government.

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List of U.S. Senators and Representatives from Georgia
Georgia has thirteen members in the U.S. House of Representatives.

• Bishop Jr., Sanford D., 2nd
• Burns, Max, 12th
• Collins, Mac, 8th
• Deal, Nathan, 10th
• Gingrey, Phil, 11th
• Isakson, Johnny, 6th
• Kingston, Jack, 1st
• Lewis, John, 5th
• Linder, John, 7th
• Majette, Denise, 4th
• Marshall, Jim, 3rd
• Norwood, Charlie, 9th
• Scott, David, 13th
  

Like every other state, Georgia has two members in the U.S. Senate.

• Saxby Chambliss
• Zell Miller

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