Unit 10 - Government of Georgia

SS8CG1: Describe the foundations of Georgia’s government.

c. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens according to the Georgia Constitution.

    • Both the Georgia and U.S. Constitutions include a Bill of Rights outlining the rights of every citizen. For the most part, both documents have similar rights and freedoms, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom of the press. However, Georgia’s Bill of Rights has several differences as compared to the U.S. Bill of Rights including:
      • Paragraph I. Life, liberty, and property. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property except by due process of law.
      • Paragraph III. Freedom of conscience. Each person has the natural and inalienable right to worship God, each according to the dictates of that person's own conscience; and no human authority should, in any case, control or interfere with such right of conscience.
      • Paragraph XXI. Banishment and whipping as punishment for crime. Neither banishment beyond the limits of the state nor whipping shall be allowed as a punishment for crime.
      • Paragraph XXVIII. Fishing and hunting. The tradition of fishing and hunting and the taking of fish and wildlife shall be preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good.
    • In addition to rights, citizens of the state and nation also have civic responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities include:
      • Paying taxes
      • Serving on juries
      • Volunteering
      • Voting
    • For more information about the rights and responsibilities of citizens see:


d. List voting qualifications for elections in Georgia.

    • There are three qualifications to be able to vote in the state of Georgia. They are:
      • Voters must be a citizen the United States
      • Voters must be 18 years old by election day
      • Voters must be a legal resident of Georgia and the county where a person wants to vote in.
    • In addition, the voter cannot currently be serving time in jail for a felony offense or ruled to be mentally incompetent.
    • For more information about voting qualifications and elections in Georgia see:


e. Identify wisdom, justice, and moderation as the three principles in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia Flag.



S8CG2: Analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia.

a. Explain the qualifications for members of the General Assembly and its role as the lawmaking body of Georgia.

  • The Georgia General Assembly is divided into two bodies. Each has their own role and requirements. Click on each of the chambers below to learn more about their roles and requirements to serve.


b. Describe the purpose of the committee system within the Georgia General Assembly.

    • Most of the work conducted in both houses of the General Assembly is in the committee system. The House of Representatives is made up of 36 standing committees while the Senate is made up of 26. Each of these committees has a particular focus such as agriculture or education. Each member of the General Assembly is responsible for serving on at least two or three committees. Each of these committees can, create, amend, change, or kill legislation. There are four types of committees in the General Assembly. These are:
      • Standing Committees: Permanent committees or those that continue for every legislative session
      • Ad hoc Committees: Committees created for a special purpose
      • Joint Committees: A committee made up of members of the Senate and House
      • Conference Committees: Created when the House and Senate create different versions of a bill. The members of each house must compromise and make one bill for it to become a law.


c. Explain the process for making a law in Georgia.


d. Describe how state government is funded and how spending decisions are made.


SS8CG3: Analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia state government.

a. Explain the qualifications for the governor and lieutenant governor and their role in the executive branch of state government.


b. Describe how the executive branch fulfills its role through state agencies that administer programs and enforce laws.


SS8CG6: Analyze the role of local governments in the state of Georgia.

a. Explain the origins and purposes, of city, county, and special-purpose governments in Georgia.


b. Describe how local government is funded and how spending decisions are made.