State Constitution and

Powers

What is a constitution and what is its

purpose?

•Unwritten traditions or a written document that establishes the relationship between a government and its people.

What is a preamble and what is its

purpose?• An introduction• States the ideas, or philosophy,

behind a constitution• States the purpose of the

government and the Constitution

What two things does a constitution

do?

•It lists the peoples’ rights•It limits the government’s

power

What is a bill of rights?

•A section where individual rights and government limits are written

What are the three branches of

government?

•Legislative•Executive

•Judicial

What is the function of each branch of government?

• Legislative - makes the rules, or laws, that people must obey

• Executive - is the head, or leader, of the government that enforces the laws

• Judicial - Interprets the laws and decides whether or not people are guilty

What is separation of powers and why is it

important in our government?

•It makes sure that the government does not become too powerful

What is our checks and balances system and why is it important?

•The system of limiting the roles of each branch, and setting right another branch’s error

Preamble

•A short paragraph that gives reasons for the Constitution

Article I: Bill of Rights

The first section lists individual rights. The second section mentions the separation of powers as well as the separation of church and state. The third section touches on property rights.

Article II: Voting and Elections

1. Elections must be by secret ballot and law-abiding

2. Steps to take for a run-off election

3. Steps to take if a public official is found guilty of a serious crime

Article III: Legislative Branch

Made up of ten sections- It outlines the structures and functions of the two houses that make up Georgia's General Assembly. This article also explains how bills are passed into laws.

Article IV: Constitutional

Boards and Commissions

• Provides for a: Public Service Commission, State Board of Pardons and Paroles, State Personnel Board, State Transportation Board, Veterans Service Board, and Board of Natural Resources

Article V: Executive Branch

• Sets out the qualifications and terms of office for the governor and lieutenant governor. This article also explains duties and powers of governor. In addition, another section lists other elected positions in GA’s executive branch of government.

Article VI: Judicial Branch• Outlines GA’s unified court system

• Gives purposes and limits of each court– Magistrate– Probate– Juvenile– State– Superior– Court of Appeals– Supreme

Article VII: Taxation and Finance

•Lists reasons why GA may tax its citizens

•Explains methods and limits of taxation

Article VIII: Education

•Explains how GA’s public school system is paid for by taxes

•Outlines the structure of the school system at state and local levels

Article IX: Counties and Municipal Corporations

•Outlines roles and functions of county and city governments

Article X: Amendments to the

Constitution

•Explains how changes, or amendments, to the Constitution can be made

Article XI: Miscellaneous

Provisions

•Deal mostly with historical and legal continuity - that is, how GA’s different constitutions have been changed over the years

The End