Role and Rights of Citizens under the NEW GA Constitution

[Pages:12]Role and Rights of Citizens under the NEW GA Constitution

CG1 The student will describe the role of citizens under Georgia's Constitution.

Citizens should be informed about issues relating to government

Register to vote

Vote at all elections

Join a political party

Run for an office if you are interested or concerned about how things are being done

Differentiate the rights and responsibilities of citizens

Rights of Citizens Nominating candidates to run for public

office Voting for candidates who are nominated Holding public office at the local, state or

national level Directing or organizing community affairs Volunteering in the community

Responsibilities of Citizens

? The most important responsibility citizens have is to vote. By voting, the people have a voice in the government. The people decide who will represent them in the government. Officials can be voted in or out of office. Every person's vote counts the same as another person's vote.

The government may call upon citizens to serve on a jury. If an individual is chosen for jury duty, he or she must stop work and attend the trial as long as he or she is needed. The members of the jury need to decide the case in as fair a way as they can.

Men can be asked to serve in the armed forces. During times of war, any man who is physically able can be called upon to fight for the U.S. In peaceful times, there can be a draft or men and voluntarily. women can enlist.

Explain voting qualifications and elections in Georgia.

A Citizen of United States Legal Resident of Georgia and of the County in

which you reside At least 18 years of age (by election day)

Also, you may not register to vote if you are

currently: Serving any sentence imposed by the conviction

of a felony Judicially determined to be mentally incompetent

All citizens are protected under Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

Separation of Powers Guarantees citizens a voice in government and

prevented development of a monarchy Prevents too much power from being held by a

single group Government roles are divided into the three

branches of the government No one branch is given all the power

Roles of Each Branch (pg 522)

Executive- Enforce the Laws. The President and his cabinet utilizes the FBI, C IA, etc., appoint judges to Supreme Court, veto bills, and enter into treaties with the approval of Congress (*In GA, this is the Governor)

Judicial- Rules the law, interprets the Constitution and laws (*There is also a supreme court of GA)

Legislative- Creates laws; Expressed Powers- powers specifically given to Congress; Implied Powers- not specifically stated in Constitution but are necessary to carry out expressed powers; Elastic Clause- (stretches the powers of Congress) Statement which derives from the right of Congress to make laws to carry out its powers; Can also override Presidential Veto with 2/3 vote in both houses. (*In GA, this is called the General Assembly)

Checks and Balances

Ensures the branches of government work together fairly

Each branch has "checks" or "controls" over the other branches

The branches are separate, but work together to perform the work of the government

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