Your Elected Officials:
What do they do?
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US Senator
Drafts, debates and defines federal laws. Approves declaration of war. Drafts and determines the federal budget.
Tries impeachments made by the House, acting as jury and judge. Approves or rejects presidential nominations to executive and judicial offices. Approves or rejects treaties with other countries from the executive branch.
Oversees and investigates the executive branch.
US Representative
Drafts, debates and defines federal laws. Approves declaration of war. Drafts and determines the federal budget. Introduces revenue and spending bills (which the Senate can later amend.)
Impeaches, or formally charges, federal officials for crimes or impropriety
Elects the president if no candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes.
Governor
Oversees the state budget, leads executive branch agencies and offices, the governor controls. Enforces laws and maintains peace.
Serves as commander in chief of Georgia's military forces, including the Georgia National Guard when under state authority.
Vetoes, approves, or abstains on legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly.
Fills unexpected vacancies in the Senate, House of Representatives, and other public offices.
Convenes special sessions of the Georgia Assembly. Appoints or nominates certain officials to state positions.
Lieutenant Governor
As President of the Senate, helps set the Senate agenda, presides over debate, breaks Senate chamber ties and works with advocates to introduce legislation.
In the event that the Governor is incapacitated, the Lieutenant Governor exercises those executive powers until either the Governor's recovery or the expiration of the gubernatorial term.
Secretary of State
As Chief Elections Officer, the Georgia Secretary of State oversees voter registration, and elections. Controls business registrations, and certain state records. Tracks annual corporate filings, grants professional licenses, and oversees the state's securities' market.
Attorney General
The Attorney General is the chief legal adviser for the Governor, as well as for all state agencies, boards, and commissions. The office represents the State of Georgia in all civil cases before any court and in all cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.
The Attorney General also prepares contracts and agreements, prosecutes public corruption cases, and oversees the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Cannot, by law, provide legal advice to private citizens.
Commissioner of Agriculture
As head of the Department of Agriculture, is charged with supporting Georgia Farmers and Producers, protecting consumers and the state’s food supply, and marketing Georgia grown agricultural products locally, nationally, and globally. We regulate animals, food, fuel, plants, soil, and pesticides produced or sold within the State of Georgia.
Commissioner of Insurance
The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner licenses and regulates insurance companies, enforces state insurance laws, investigates reports of insurance fraud, and inspects buildings to prevent fire.
Commissioner of Labor
Administers Georgia's unemployment insurance, reemployment services, provision of workforce information to the public and private sectors, and oversight of child labor issues. Holds broad authority over industrial and occupational safety and administration of labor laws.
State School Superintendent
Leads the Georgia Department of Education. Oversees public education throughout the state, ensuring that laws and regulations pertaining to education are followed and that state and federal money appropriated for education is properly allocated to local school systems.
State Senator and State Representative
Both houses of State Government serve together within the Georgia State General Assembly. In the General Assembly, a member:
Drafts, debates and defines state laws. Drafts and determines the state budget.
Considers proposed amendments to the Georgia constitution: If both chambers pass the proposal with two-thirds of members giving it a “yea” (yes) vote, the question will be put to Georgia voters in an upcoming election.
Establishing the legislative districts: Every 10 years, the General Assembly determines where districts begin and end for the state House, state Senate, and U.S. House.
Outside of the 40 days in formal session, members of the General Assembly meet in committees to discuss proposed legislation in more detail. These meetings occur year-round so the law-making process can continue efficiently when the legislators come together in January.
Public Service Commissioner
Works with expert advisors to ensure consumers receive safe, reliable, and reasonably priced telecommunications, electric, and natural gas services.
Regulates investor-owned utility companies (e.g., electric, natural gas, telecom). Approves rates and oversees reliability and service. May conduct investigations and Institute judicial proceedings to enforce orders, rules and regulations.
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