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The Georgia Constitution outlines two methods for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. A simple majority vote (50% plus 1) is required for voters to approve constitutional amendments. A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Georgia State Legislature to place an amendment on the ballot, amounting to a minimum of 120 votes in the Georgia House of Representatives and 38 in the Georgia State Senate. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. A constitutional convention can be held in Georgia if a two-thirds majority of both houses of the Georgia General Assembly agree.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of mechanisms to amend the constitution | 2 |
| Legislative process vote requirement | 50% plus 1 (simple majority) |
| Minimum votes in the Georgia House of Representatives | 120 |
| Minimum votes in the Georgia State Senate | 38 |
| Vote requirement for the Georgia State Legislature to place an amendment on the ballot | 66.67% (two-thirds) |
| Vote requirement for a constitutional convention | 66.67% (two-thirds) |
| Number of constitutions in Georgia's history | 10 |
| Number of amendments to the current constitution | 91 |
| Last amendment to the constitution | November 5, 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
- A simple majority vote (50%+) is required for voters to approve amendments
- A two-thirds vote is required for the legislature to place an amendment on the ballot
- Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot
- A two-thirds majority in both houses of the General Assembly is required to hold a constitutional convention
- Georgia does not feature a process for initiated constitutional amendments
A simple majority vote (50%+) is required for voters to approve amendments
The Georgia Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Georgia requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments. This means that over half of the voters must approve the proposed amendment for it to be ratified. This simple majority vote is a common mechanism for amending state constitutions in the United States, with 36 out of 49 states requiring legislatures to approve amendments with a simple majority during one legislative session.
The legislative process for amending the Georgia Constitution begins with a proposal, which can be initiated by the General Assembly or by a constitutional convention. The General Assembly is the state's legislative body, composed of the House of Representatives and the State Senate. A proposal by the General Assembly to amend the Constitution can be amended or repealed by the same body through an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of each house. This proposal is then submitted to the voters for approval.
The other mechanism for amending the Georgia Constitution is through a state constitutional convention. A constitutional convention is a gathering of delegates who are tasked with proposing revisions or amendments to the Constitution. In Georgia, a constitutional convention can be called if a two-thirds majority of the members of both houses of the General Assembly agree to hold it. The proposals arising from the convention are then submitted to the voters for approval.
It is important to note that amendments to the Georgia Constitution do not require the governor's signature or approval. Once an amendment is approved by a simple majority vote of the electors, it becomes a part of the Constitution. However, there are specific procedures that must be followed, such as making the proposed amendment available for public inspection and ensuring that the language used is prescribed by the General Assembly or the Governor.
In summary, a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) is the threshold required for voters to approve amendments to the Georgia Constitution. This process of amending the state's constitution through a simple majority vote is one of the key features of Georgia's legislative process and constitutional convention mechanisms.
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A two-thirds vote is required for the legislature to place an amendment on the ballot
The Georgia Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Amendments in Georgia can be put on the ballot through referral by the legislature or by a constitutional convention. A two-thirds vote is required for the Georgia State Legislature to place an amendment on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 120 votes in the Georgia House of Representatives and 38 votes in the Georgia State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
A constitutional convention can occur in Georgia if a two-thirds majority of the members of both houses of the Georgia General Assembly agree to hold it. The General Assembly is authorised to provide the procedure by which a convention is called and under which it operates. The representation in the convention shall be based on population as near as practicable. A proposal by the convention to amend the Constitution shall be advertised, submitted to, and ratified by the people in the same manner provided for advertisement, submission, and ratification of proposals to amend the Constitution by the General Assembly.
The Georgia Constitution has been amended 91 times, with voters last approving amendments on November 5, 2024. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in the Georgia legislature and must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of both the state House and state Senate, followed by ratification by a majority of the electors qualified to vote for members of the General Assembly at the next general election. The Constitution can also be amended by proposal at a constitutional convention, the calling of which must receive the support of a two-thirds majority vote by both houses of the legislature and a simple majority of state voters.
Georgia does not feature a process for initiated constitutional amendments. Every state but Delaware requires voters to ratify proposed state constitutional amendments. From 2006 through 2024, a total of 1,244 constitutional amendments were proposed and put before voters. Of this total, voters approved 891 proposed changes to state constitutions.
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Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot
The Georgia Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. The legislative process involves a two-thirds (66.67%) vote during one legislative session for the Georgia State Legislature to place an amendment on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 120 votes in the Georgia House of Representatives and 38 votes in the Georgia State Senate, assuming no vacancies.
The other method of amending the Georgia Constitution is through a state constitutional convention. According to Paragraph IV of Article X of the Georgia Constitution, a constitutional convention can occur if a two-thirds majority of the members of both houses of the Georgia General Assembly agree to hold it. A proposal by the convention to amend the Constitution must be advertised, submitted to, and ratified by the people in the same manner as proposals by the General Assembly.
Georgia does not feature a process for initiated constitutional amendments, meaning amendments cannot be put on the ballot through citizen initiatives. However, voters play a crucial role in approving amendments proposed through the legislative process or constitutional convention. As of 2024, Georgia's current constitution has been amended 91 times, with the most recent amendments being approved by voters on November 5, 2024.
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A two-thirds majority in both houses of the General Assembly is required to hold a constitutional convention
The Georgia Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Amendments can be put on the ballot through referral by the legislature or by a constitutional convention. However, Georgia does not feature a process for initiated constitutional amendments.
A constitutional convention can be held in Georgia if there is a two-thirds majority agreement in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly. This means that a proposal by the convention to amend the Constitution or propose a new one must be agreed upon by at least two-thirds of the members of each house of the General Assembly. The convention's representation should be based on population as closely as possible.
The procedure for calling a constitutional convention is determined by the General Assembly, which also has the authority to provide other matters relating to the convention. The convention's proposal for amending the Constitution or drafting a new one must be advertised, submitted to, and ratified by the people in the same way that proposals to amend the Constitution by the General Assembly are.
A two-thirds majority in both houses of the General Assembly is a significant requirement for holding a constitutional convention, ensuring that any changes to the fundamental document that outlines Georgia's governance framework are carefully considered and supported by a substantial portion of the legislature.
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Georgia does not feature a process for initiated constitutional amendments
The state constitution is a document that outlines a state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. Georgia has had ten different constitutions in its history, not counting its royal charter, granted in 1732. The current constitution, adopted in 1983, is the state's 11th and has been amended 91 times.
The legislative process involves the Georgia State Legislature proposing an amendment and placing it on the ballot with a two-thirds (66.67%) vote during a legislative session. This amounts to a minimum of 120 votes in the Georgia House of Representatives and 38 votes in the Georgia State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Once an amendment is on the ballot, a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) of voters is required to approve it.
A state constitutional convention can occur if a two-thirds majority of the members of both houses of the Georgia General Assembly agree to hold it. The convention can then propose amendments, which must be ratified by a simple majority of voters. Amendments proposed through this process also do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
While Georgia does not allow for initiated constitutional amendments, it provides these two methods for proposing and approving amendments to its state constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
A simple majority vote (50% plus 1) is required for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
The Georgia Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention.
Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in the Georgia legislature and must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of both the state House and state Senate. This amounts to a minimum of 120 votes in the Georgia House of Representatives and 38 votes in the Georgia State Senate, assuming no vacancies.
A constitutional convention can occur in Georgia if a two-thirds majority of the members of both houses of the Georgia General Assembly agree to hold it. A convention of the people shall not be called by the General Assembly to amend this Constitution unless there is a concurrence of two-thirds of the members to which each house of the General Assembly is entitled.
The governor does not have the right to veto any proposal by the General Assembly or by a convention to amend the Constitution. Amendments also do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
