Eleanor Finch
Georgia's ratification of the Constitution was a contentious process. The state's legislature refused to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1866, which was a specific condition for readmission to the Union. This led to Georgia being placed under military control. After the establishment of congressional Reconstruction and military rule in 1867, a group of elected delegates met in a convention to work on a new constitution. The convention was dominated by northerners and northern sympathizers, and some labelled it the unconstitutional convention. The current Georgia State Constitution was ratified in 1982, replacing the previous 1976 constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 2 November 1982 |
| Previous constitution | 1976 |
| Number of delegates | 193 |
| Time taken | One month |
| Date of agreement | August 1981 |
| Date of submission to General Assembly | August and September 1981 |
| Date of approval | 25 September 1981 |
| Number of articles | 11 |
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What You'll Learn
The U.S. Constitution has always been contentious
Georgia's history with the U.S. Constitution has been particularly contentious. In November 1866, the Georgia legislature refused to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a specific condition for readmission to the Union. The Constitution of 1865 was therefore rejected, and Georgia was placed under military control. After the establishment of congressional Reconstruction and military rule in 1867, a group of elected delegates met in a new convention, which lasted from December 1867 to March 1868. The convention was dominated by northerners and northern sympathizers, but the principal leaders had resided in Georgia long enough to develop an interest in the state’s welfare. The makeup of the convention, however, led some to label it the “unconstitutional convention”.
In July 1877, 193 elected members began work on a new state constitution. Working under a committee system and holding extensive debates, the convention completed its work a month later. The document was ratified by the public in December. In response to post-Reconstruction concerns, the new constitution included much more detail in almost all of its articles—restricting both individuals and institutions.
The current and tenth Georgia State Constitution was ratified on November 2, 1982, replacing the previous 1976 constitution. 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.
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Georgia's 1865 Constitution was rejected
The new state government called for another convention to adopt a new constitution in 1868. The convention was dominated by northerners and northern sympathisers, but the principal leaders had resided in Georgia long enough to develop an interest in the state's welfare. The makeup of the convention, however, led some to label it the "unconstitutional convention".
The 1865 Constitution was one of seven Georgia constitutions that were directly associated with war-related periods. During the Civil War (1861-65) and Reconstruction eras, four new constitutions were written by constitutional conventions and approved by the people (in 1861, 1865, 1868, and 1877). The new constitutions represented rapid changes in state governmental control during the war and its aftermath.
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The 1982 Constitution was approved by a majority vote
The ratification of the Constitution of Georgia has not always been straightforward. In November 1866, the Georgia legislature refused to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a specific condition for readmission to the Union. The Constitution of 1865 was therefore rejected, and Georgia was placed under military control.
In 1877, 193 elected members began work on a new state constitution. Working under a committee system and holding extensive debates, the convention completed its work a month later. The document was ratified by the public in December. In response to post-Reconstruction concerns, the new constitution included much more detail in almost all of its articles—restricting both individuals and institutions.
Georgia's ratification of the U.S. Constitution was also contentious. In the summer of 1787, Georgia elected six delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, but only four went. Only two—Abraham Baldwin and William Few—signed the final document. The convention, chaired by George Washington, had the authority to revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead, after four fractious months and grudging compromise, the 55 delegates produced an entirely new system of governing, with three independent branches of government.
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The 1982 Constitution streamlined the previous one
The 1982 Constitution was the result of a process that began in August 1981, when agreement was made on a new constitution. In August and September of that year, the document was submitted to the General Assembly in a special session. The constitution was approved on 25 September 1981 and went to vote in the general election.
The 1982 Constitution was a response to post-Reconstruction concerns and included much more detail in almost all of its articles, restricting both individuals and institutions. This was in contrast to the 1865 Constitution, which was rejected after Georgia refused to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a specific condition for readmission to the Union. As a result, Georgia was placed under military control and a new convention was established, dominated by northerners and northern sympathizers. This convention, which lasted from December 1867 to March 1868, produced a constitution that some labelled the "unconstitutional convention".
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The 1982 Constitution consists of a Preamble and eleven Articles
The ratification of the US Constitution by Georgia was contentious. In the summer of 1787, Georgia elected six delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, but only four went, and only two—Abraham Baldwin and William Few—signed the final document. The convention, chaired by George Washington, produced an entirely new system of governing, with three independent branches of government.
In November 1866, Georgia refused to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, a specific condition for readmission to the Union. The Constitution of 1865 was therefore rejected, and Georgia was placed under military control. After the establishment of congressional Reconstruction and military rule in 1867, a group of elected delegates met in a new convention, which lasted from December 1867 to March 1868. The convention was dominated by northerners and northern sympathisers, but the principal leaders had resided in Georgia long enough to develop an interest in the state’s welfare.
In July 1877, 193 elected members began work on a new state constitution. Working under a committee system and holding extensive debates, the convention completed its work a month later. The document was ratified by the public in December. In response to post-Reconstruction concerns, the new constitution included much more detail in almost all of its articles—restricting both individuals and institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
Georgia ratified the constitution quickly because the state was recovering from the war and Reconstruction, and Democrats were returning to power. Support for a new state constitution solidified as the "New South" emerged.
A popular vote called for a constitutional convention, which provided the final impetus for constitutional revision. 193 elected members began work on a new state constitution in July 1877. The convention completed its work a month later, and the document was ratified by the public in December.
The new constitution included much more detail in almost all of its articles, restricting both individuals and institutions. It also did away with authorization for local amendments.
The current and tenth Georgia State Constitution was ratified on November 2, 1982, replacing the previous 1976 constitution. 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.
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