Georgia Constitution Exam Study Guide

These flashcards cover key facts, concepts, and procedural elements derived from the Georgia Constitution Exam study guide.

Where can one find the state’s Bill of Rights in the Georgia Constitution?

Article I, Section 1.

What process allows

'life, liberty, or property' to be taken from a citizen? Due process.

What is an effective defense against an accusation of libel according to the Georgia Constitution?

Truth.

Who are considered citizens of Georgia?

Citizens of the United States who meet the other constitutional qualifications.

Which types of laws is the General Assembly prohibited from enacting?

Ex post facto laws.

Which types of laws is the General Assembly allowed to enact?

Laws that promote the welfare of the citizens.

Who holds the ultimate authority to determine facts in a trial according to Article I, Section 1?

The jury.

Under what circumstance can a person not be tried for the same offense twice?

Double jeopardy.

What is required for an individual to be convicted of treason according to Article I, Section 1?

Testimony of two witnesses.

What may not be done to a person convicted of a crime?

Imprisonment for debt.

Under what circumstance may a debtor be imprisoned on account of debt?

Willful failure to pay.

What kinds of legislative enactments are acceptable according to Article I, Section 2?

Laws that are not unconstitutional.

What is the meaning of ‘sovereign immunity’?

The state cannot be sued without its consent.

What is an unacceptable requirement that may be established for voting according to Article II, Section 1?

Property ownership.

Who collects ballots and election returns according to Article II, Section 2?

The Secretary of State.

Who is eligible to vote in a runoff election?

All voters who participated in the initial election.

What is the result of a recall election?

Removal of the elected official from office.

What type of commission is appointed if an elected official is indicted by a grand jury on felony charges?

A vacancy commission.

In Georgia, legislative power is vested in which body?

The General Assembly.

What are the limitations on the number of members in the houses of Georgia’s General Assembly?

Set by the Constitution.

Who determines the boundaries of legislative districts?

The General Assembly.

When are legislative district boundaries redrawn?

Every ten years after the census.

What is the minimum age requirement for members of the Georgia General Assembly?

25 years.

What is the term of office for members of the Georgia General Assembly?

Two years.

What is the term of office for members of the state Senate?

Two years.

What is true about the lieutenant governor?

They preside over the Senate.

What is the title of the individual who temporarily presides in the absence of the Speaker of the House?

Speaker pro tempore.

Who carries out clerical and record-keeping work of the state Senate?

Secretary of the Senate.

What is the maximum length of an annual session of the General Assembly under ordinary circumstances?

40 days.

When may the governor call a special session of the state legislature?

In emergency situations.

What is a privilege of members of the General Assembly?

Immunity from arrest during legislative sessions.

What is true about committees in the General Assembly?

They provide in-depth review of bills.

What type of bills may only originate in the state House of Representatives?

Revenue bills.

How many readings will a bill receive in a legislative house if it is to be approved?

Three readings.

If a legislative house rejects a bill, can it be brought up for vote again?

Yes, it can be reconsidered.

What constitutes a quorum to transact business in the General Assembly?

A majority of the members.

How much time does the governor have to consider a bill after it is sent from the General Assembly?

Six days.

How may a gubernatorial veto be overridden?

By a two-thirds vote of both houses.

What is true about vetoes?

They can be applied to bills only.

Who has the authority to impeach an official of the state government?

The House of Representatives.

Where is the trial held for an impeached state official?

In the Senate.

Who presides over an impeachment trial in the state Senate?

The Chief Justice.

What type of bill is required to draw public money from the treasury?

An appropriations bill.

What are agency fund earmarks often referred to as?

Pork-barrel spending.

What is the purpose of the Public Service Commission?

To regulate utilities.

Execution of the death sentence is suspended if how many members of the State Board of Pardons and Parole want a delay?

Two members.

Who establishes policies for the State Merit System?

The State Merit System Council.

Which applicants are given preference in any civil service program according to Article IV, Section 3?

Veterans.

What boards and commissions are not established by the state Constitution?

Advisory boards.

Who selects the commissioner of transportation according to Article IV, Section 4?

The Governor.

What is a qualification to serve on the Veterans Service Board?

Honorable discharge from the military.

What helps determine the number of members of various boards such as Education and Natural Resources?

Legislative statute.

Can a governor completing a second consecutive term run again?

No.

For how long must a U.S. citizen live in Georgia to run for governor?

15 years.

What is the minimum age requirement for lieutenant governor?

30 years.

What happens upon the death, resignation, or permanent disability of the Governor?

The lieutenant governor becomes governor.

What is not a power of the governor?

To independently legislate.

What is the minimum age requirement for the state superintendent of schools?

25 years.

What is a qualification to be attorney general?

Must be a licensed attorney.

What is not an elected constitutional executive officer?

The Secretary of State.

What petition is necessary for the state Supreme Court to review a constitutional executive officer's incapacity?

A petition from two members of the General Assembly.

Which courts may issue a writ of mandamus according to Article VI, Section 1?

Superior Courts.

Where is a superior-court trial in a civil case normally held?

In the county where the subject matter occurred.

In which court is a divorce case heard?

Superior Court.

What kind of jurisdiction do the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals have?

Appellate jurisdiction.

Which court hears appeals regarding election outcomes?

The Supreme Court.

What does the Supreme Court issue to hear an appeal from the Court of Appeals?

Certiorari.

In what kind of election do state judges run?

Nonpartisan elections.

What is the term of office for a Supreme Court justice?

Six years.

Who may decide to remove judges during their term of office?

The Judicial Qualifications Commission.

How many members are on a jury in a Superior Court criminal trial?

Twelve members.

What is not true about district attorneys?

They serve for a fixed term regardless of the election cycle.

What kind of court is the City Court of Atlanta?

Municipal court.

Who may authorize the exemption of non-exempt real-estate property from tax?

The General Assembly.

What is the purpose of a homestead exemption?

To reduce property tax for eligible homeowners.

Which category of citizens receives an automatic property assessment reduction?

Disabled veterans.

What is not an acceptable reason for the state to undertake debt?

Funding personal projects.

What proportion of last year’s total revenue receipts may the state borrow in a fiscal year?

10%.

What is the maximum term for debt instruments when the state borrows money?

30 years.

What is the name of the trust fund used to pay the state’s debt service?

Debt Service Fund.

Can the state government assume the debt of a local government?

No.

To whom does Article VIII guarantee free education?

All children.

What determines the number of members on the state Board of Education?

Legislative statutes.

How long does the state superintendent of schools serve?

Four years.

What governs the University System of Georgia?

Board of Regents.

Who appoints the members of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia?

The Governor.

Who selects a local superintendent of schools?

The local board of education.

What may the board of education accept for use in the school system?

Gifts and donations.

For which classes of individuals may the General Assembly waive tuition at state colleges?

Veterans and their dependents.

What is the maximum allowable number of counties in Georgia?

159.

Which of the following is not an official of the county?

State Attorney.

What term describes a local government's ability to make laws concerning its own operations?

Home rule.

What is a supplementary power of local government?

Authority to administer local elections.

What term describes a local government's regulatory power regarding land use?

Zoning.

What is the limit of debt that a local government may undertake?

Based on property tax assessments.

How does a local government repay debt raised from revenue bonds?

From its revenue streams.

What term describes a district created by local government for construction and maintenance?

Special service district.

How is an amendment to the state Constitution proposed?

By a two-thirds vote of both houses.

How is a proposed amendment to the state Constitution ratified?

By majority vote of the electorate.

What statement regarding vetoing a constitutional amendment is true?

The Governor cannot veto amendments.