Isabella Carter
Georgia has had 10 constitutions, with the current and final constitution being ratified in 1982 and adopted in 1983. The state's first constitution was completed in 1777, and since then, the constitution has been revised through constitutional conventions, constitutional commissions, and the office of legislative counsel of the Georgia General Assembly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Constitutions | 10 |
| Current Constitution | Adopted in November 1982, effective July 1983 |
| Number of Amendments | 91 |
| Last Amendment | 5 November 2024 |
| First Constitution | 1777 |
| Previous Constitutions | 1976, 1945, 1877, 1868, 1865, 1861, 1789, 1777 |
| Methods of Revision | Constitutional conventions, constitutional commissions, legislative counsel of the Georgia General Assembly |
| Number of Articles | 11 |
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What You'll Learn
Georgia's first constitution
Georgia has had ten different constitutions in its history, not counting its royal charter, which was granted in 1732. The first formal constitution of Georgia was drafted in 1777, and it remained in effect for twelve years. The constitution was completed on February 5, 1777, without being submitted to voters for ratification. It vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body, incorporated the separation of powers doctrine, and included a number of basic rights, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury. The document also made the legislature the most powerful branch, with the governor being forced to rely on his executive council for many decisions. Additionally, the constitution allowed for an expansive franchise, with only the poorest excluded.
The 1777 constitution was framed by a convention that assembled in Savannah on October 1, 1776, in accordance with the recommendation of the Continental Congress that the people of the colonies should form independent state governments. The convention was Georgia's first state constitutional convention, organised soon after Georgia accepted the Declaration of Independence. The constitution was amended in 1789 and 1798.
The Georgia State Constitution is the governing document of the US State of Georgia. The constitution outlines the three branches of government in Georgia: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. The legislative branch is embodied in the bicameral General Assembly, the executive branch is headed by the Governor, and the judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court.
The current and tenth Georgia State Constitution was ratified on November 2, 1982, replacing the previous 1976 constitution. The 1983 constitution was the first truly "new" constitution since 1877.
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The 1789 constitution
Georgia has had ten constitutions, with the current one being ratified in 1982 and amended 91 times. The first attempt at a constitutional government was initiated in April 1776, and the first formal constitution was drafted in 1777. This constitution was updated in 1789, and this 1789 Constitution was the shortest of Georgia's constitutions.
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The Civil War constitutions
Georgia has had 10 constitutions. The current and tenth constitution was ratified on November 2, 1982, and came into effect in 1983. Before that, the previous constitution was the 1976 constitution.
The first of these Civil War constitutions was adopted at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861. Georgia was central to the outcome of the conflict, providing an estimated 120,000 soldiers for the Confederacy. Several hundred white and 3,500 Black Georgians also enlisted for the Union cause. The state's agricultural output and its role as a transportation and industrial center for the Confederacy meant it was critical to the Confederate war effort. Some of the most important battles of the war were fought in Georgia, including Chickamauga, Resaca, and Kennesaw Mountain. The Atlanta campaign of 1864 was a significant turning point, and it has been argued that the Civil War's outcome was decided in Georgia with this campaign. Sherman's campaign of total war extended to Georgian civilians, with approximately 400 Roswell mill workers, mostly women, arrested as traitors and sent north.
The second of the Civil War constitutions was approved in 1865, at the end of the war. The Battle of Columbus, fought on the Georgia-Alabama border on April 16, 1865, is considered by some to be the last battle of the war. The war left Georgia devastated, with many dead and wounded, and the state's economy in ruins. The slaves were emancipated in 1865, and Reconstruction started immediately.
The third Civil War constitution was approved in 1868, during Reconstruction. Georgia did not re-enter the Union until July 15, 1870, as the last of the former Confederate states to be re-admitted.
The fourth and final Civil War constitution was approved in 1877, at the end of Reconstruction. This was the first truly "new" constitution since 1868, and it was the culmination of almost twenty years of discussion, debate, and compromise.
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The 1983 constitution
Georgia has had ten constitutions, with the current and tenth iteration being ratified on November 2, 1982, and coming into effect in 1983. This replaced the previous 1976 constitution. The 1983 Constitution was the first truly "new" constitution since 1877, and it was the result of almost two decades of discussion, debate, and compromise.
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Methods of constitutional revision
Georgia has used three different methods of constitutional revision: seven were revised by constitutional conventions, two by constitutional commissions, and one by the office of legislative counsel of the Georgia General Assembly.
Constitutional Conventions
Seven of Georgia's constitutions were revised by constitutional conventions. A constitutional convention is a gathering of elected delegates who propose changes to a constitution or draft a new constitution. Constitutional conventions in Georgia have often been held in response to significant historical events, such as the transition from colony to state, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction era. The constitutions of 1777, 1789, 1861, 1865, 1868, 1877, and 1945 were all directly associated with war-related periods.
Constitutional Commissions
Two of Georgia's constitutions were revised by constitutional commissions. A constitutional commission is a group of individuals appointed to review and propose changes to a constitution. Constitutional commissions typically involve experts in law, politics, and governance, who work together to thoroughly examine the constitution and recommend revisions.
Office of Legislative Counsel of the Georgia General Assembly
The office of legislative counsel of the Georgia General Assembly revised one of Georgia's constitutions. The legislative counsel is a legal expert who provides advice and support to the legislature during the law-making process. In the context of constitutional revision, the legislative counsel would work closely with the legislature to draft and review proposed changes to the constitution.
Legislative Process
Georgia's current constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. The legislative process involves proposing amendments in the Georgia legislature, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in both the state House and state Senate. These amendments are then put on the ballot for voters to approve by a simple majority vote.
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Frequently asked questions
There have been 10 iterations of the Georgia Constitution. The current constitution was ratified in November 1982 and became effective in July 1983.
Georgia has revised its constitution frequently, with 12 ruling documents in total since the colonial charter issued in 1732.
The Georgia Constitution can be amended through a legislative process or a state constitutional convention. Amendments require a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for approval.
