Georgians Rights & Responsibilities

Georgia Citizens

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• I can describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens according to the Georgia Constitution.

• I can list the voting qualifications for elections in Georgia.

​You Have Rights

• Like the U.S. Constitution, the Georgia Constitution includes a bill of rights.

• Both constitutions protect the rights of all Georgians.

• Just a few of the protected rights in the Georgia Constitution include:

  • the right to free speech

  • the right to worship how you choose

  • the right to trial by jury when accused of a crime

​You Have Responsibilities

• Georgians also have civic responsibilities that help our state government function

• Responsible Georgia citizens:

  • Pay Taxes

    • Governments cannot serve the public without collecting taxes. Georgians are required to pay state taxes on their income, the value of their property, and the price of goods or services they buy.

    • The state government provides goods and services that benefit all Georgians with these tax dollars, such as fire and police protections, roads, and schools.

  • Serve on Juries

    • Georgians are required by law to serve on a jury if called. Juries may hear a particular court case or hear evidence to determine if criminal charges should be filed.

    • The use of juries ensures that people accused of crimes or sued are judged by a group of impartial citizens instead of the government. This is an important right and limit on government power.

​You Have Responsibilities

• Georgians also have civic responsibilities that help our state government function

• Responsible Georgia citizens:

  • Volunteer in the Community

    • While not required by law, Georgians also have a responsibility to volunteer in the community. Volunteering is a great way to help your state grow and improve.

    • Volunteers can help in certain civic projects or become involved in agencies that improve our state. By volunteering your time, energy, and ideas, you can help to make Georgia a better place!

  • Vote

    • While not required by law, Georgians have both the right and responsibility to vote. A democratic representative government cannot function without the input of citizens: the more citizens that vote, the more truly representative the government is.

    • Voting is one of the most effective ways to have your voice heard by the state government. You can help to select state leaders, including the governor and members of the Georgia General Assembly.

​You Have Responsibilities

• Responsible Georgia citizens:

  • Pay Taxes

  • Serve on Juries

  • Volunteer in the Community

  • Vote

Match

Match each responsibility with its description

• allows the state gvt to provide goods & services such as roads, schools, fire & police protection

• ensures that people accused of crimes or sued are judged by a group of impartial citizens instead of by the gvt

• helps grow & improve that state; Georgians can help in certain civic projects or become involved in agencies

• one of the most effective ways to have your voice heard by the state gvt; Georgians help select our state leaders

pay taxes

serve on juries

volunteer in the community

vote

• pay taxes

• serve on juries

• volunteer in the community

• vote

​Voting in Georgia

• While voting is an important right and responsibility, not everyone living in Georgia can vote.

• To vote in Georgia, you must meet the voting qualifications. The qualifications in the state of Georgia include:

  • You must be a citizen of the United States

  • You must be a legal resident of Georgia and of the county where you wish to vote

  • You must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day

  • You must not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction or be declared mentally incompetent by a judge

​Registration and Voting

• Georgians must register to vote to verify that they meet the voter qualifications.

• In Georgia, citizens can submit a registration form online, by mail, or in person.

  • A new voter must submit the form at least 30 days before an election.

• Once citizens register, they can vote in every election that follows.

  • However, voters should check their registration before every election to make sure they are still listed and all information is still accurate.

  • Georgia provides a website for voters to check their registration status, current address, and voting location.

​Registration and Voting

• Once registered, Georgians who meet voter qualifications can cast their ballots in an election in one of three ways:

  • In-Person on Election Day

    • Voters cast their ballots at a specific location near their home on election day.

    • Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Voters standing in line at 7:00 p.m. will still be allowed to vote.

  • In-Person Early Voting

    • Voters can cast a ballot in the early voting period at designated locations in their counties.

    • Georgia usually has a three-week early voting period, but if the election is a runoff, the early voting period is shorter.

  • Absentee by Mail or Drop Box

    • Voters can request an absentee ballot for any reason. Ballots can be returned by mail or to a drop box once they are completed.

    • All absentee ballots must be received by the time polls close on election day.

Multiple Choice

Sarah is 17. She is a U.S. citizen and a resident of Coweta County, Georgia. She wants to vote in the election for governor. She will be 18 before the new governor takes office but not before Election Day.

Why can Sarah NOT vote?

• Sarah will not be 18 when the governor takes office.

• Sarah will not be 18 on Election Day.

• Sarah is not a citizen of the United States.

• Sarah is not a citizen of Coweta County

Multiple Choice

Xavier is 29. He is a citizen of Canada, but he has lived in Fulton County, Georgia, since he was a child.

Why can Xavier NOT vote?

• Xavier is not 18 on Election Day.

• Xavier is not a citizen of the United States.

• Xavier was not born in Fulton County, GA

Multiple Choice

Monty is 78. He is a citizen of the United States and owns a home in Fayette County, Georgia, that he rents out. His legal residence is in Cashiers, North Carolina.

Why can Monty NOT vote?

• Monty own more than one property in the United States.

• Monty is not a citizen of the United States.

• Monty is not a legal resident of Georgia.

• Monty does not meet the age requirement.