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.
 Preambles
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
 Articles
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.
 Amendment Process
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.