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To view this on the COS website, click here [[https://conventionofstates.com/news/on-the-georgia-state-constitution|on-the-georgia-state-constitution]]


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====== Why was there a Run Off? ======


The current Georgia State Constitution was ratified on November 2, 1982. It is the newest state constitution in the United States and is Georgia's tenth Constitution, replacing the previous 1976 constitution. 


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|Each state has its own constitution. The Georgia State Constitution of 1777 directed the governor be chosen by the state legislative assembly. A constitutional amendment in 1824 changed that and governors were directly elected by voters. In situations where no candidate received a majority vote, the state legislature would make the final decision.\\ {{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/61289/61289_original.jpg?325x325}}\\ In 1966, the race for governor complicated things. Republican Howard Callaway finished first against Democrat Lester Maddox but didn’t get the majority of the votes. Since the state legislature was overwhelmingly Democratic, most of the Democrats voted for their fellow Democrat and the Republican who got slightly more votes lost. A series of court battles followed, ending with a Supreme Court decision upholding the right of the Georgia Legislature to choose Lester Maddox, who had lost the popular vote. The contested election of 1966 provided an opportunity to adopt runoff voting for the election of governors. Runoff elections were already in use since 1963 for other statewide elections and congressional representatives.\\ \\ In more recent history, after the victory of Senator Paul Coverdell, Republican, by runoff in 1992, the Georgia Legislature which was predominantly Democrat, changed the state laws. The change required a runoff be held only if the winning candidate received less than 45% of the vote. In 2005 when Republicans took control of the state legislature, the run-off requirement was changed back to 50% plus one vote. This number ensured that the majority of voters in Georgia wanted and chose one candidate over the other.\\ \\ The Constitution of the State of Georgia is the governing document of the U.S. State of Georgia. The constitution outlines the three branches of government in Georgia. The legislative branch is embodied in the bicameral General Assembly. The executive branch is headed by the Governor. The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court. Besides providing for the organization of these branches, the Constitution carefully outlines which powers each branch may exercise.\\ \\ The current Georgia State Constitution was ratified on November 2, 1982. It is the newest state constitution in the United States and is Georgia's tenth Constitution, replacing the previous 1976 constitution. \\ \\ {{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/61288/61288_original.jpg?325x488}}\\ \\ The Georgia Convention of States Leaders gather pointing out they were the first passed state to send delegates to a COS. \\ \\  Georgia was the first state to pass the Convention of States Resolution to send delegates to propose amendments to the US Constitution in 3 subject areas.   Our convention would only allow the states to discuss amendments that, “limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and place term limits on federal officials.”\\ \\ Please sign the petition and help us keep the resolution in place. Learn how by signing up as a volunteer activist or choose a role based on your talents.\\ \\ #|PETITION_WIDGET{petition_tag:;coalition_id:;anedot_url:}|#\\ \\  \\ \\ |
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|  __Page Metadata__  ||
|Login Required to view?  |No                  |
|Created:                 |2022-12-03 12:30 GMT|
|Updated:                 |2022-12-15 08:00 GMT|
|Published:               |2022-12-03 05:00 GMT|
|Converted:               |2025-11-11 12:00 GMT|
|Change Author:           |Nancy Suits         |
|Credit Author:           |                    |