GEORGIA CONSTITUTION EXAM CORE
GOVERNMENT PRINCIPLES REVIEW 2026
◉ Selective Incorporation (14th amendment)
Answer: (since 1925) the court uses this process to manipulate the
protection offered by the Bill of Rights to US citizens on a case-by-
case basis.
And- congress uses this to restrict state and local power
◉ States adopt their constitutions within the context of:
Answer: national supremacy; enumerated, implied and reserved
powers; dual citizenship; and the 10th and 14th amendment
◉ What kind of power does a state constitution generally not
include?
Answer: implied
◉ What additional power do state constitutions typically include?
Answer: police power
◉ Police Power
,Answer: the ability to promote public health, safety, morals, or
general welfare.
-this is among the reserved powers in the US constitution
◉ Some basic differences in the state vs US constitution
Answer: State: extremely long, no implied powers, more detailed,
numerous amendments and explanations about local govs, amended
frequently,
◉ In what two ways is Ga const noteworthy?
Answer: 1. it has had 10 constitutions
2. second newest- last amended in 1983
◉ How does amending work for state constitutions?
Answer: Many states do it many different ways- but almost all
require the amendment to be voted on and result in some kind of
majority yes vote.
◉ For the GA constitution, who can ask the state's voters to create a
convention to amend or replace a constitution?
Answer: The Georgia Legislature- and sometimes the General
Assembly can propose amendments with the Legislature's approval
◉ How many different constitutions has ga had?
,Answer: 10
◉ Is replacing or amending the constitution more rare?
Answer: replacing
◉ Three reasons why state constitutions are so cluttered, and don't
just focus on the fundamentals:
Answer: 1. attempts to gain political advantage
2. response to state court decisions
3. efforts to meet the national gov requirements
◉ Amendments adding policies to Ga's constitution have included:
Answer: earmarking, tax breaks, issues of morality, and limits on
decision making
◉ earmarks
Answer: requirements that revenues from certain sources be spent
for designated purposed- for example: Zell Miller lottery spent on
reductional scholarships (1992)
◉ Tax breaks
Answer: special tax treatment for various groups and activities- for
example: the taxation of timber and tax break for veteran's land
, ◉ Since the constitution has the power to specify who gets to
participate in key decision making, this aids in....
Answer: reducing the power of only one branch, and distributing the
power of decision making
◉ Georgia has had __ constitutions and the current one has been
amended more than __ times during its first 30 years.
Answer: 10; 70
◉ Similarities between the US and Ga constitutions
Answer: -bill of rights
-separation of powers (legislative, executive, judicial)
-US president & Ga governer substantial power
-US congress & Ga general Assembly bicameral
--senate and house of reps
-judicial review
◉ Marbury v Madison
Answer: the Supreme Court case in 1803 that called for judicial
review at the federal level
◉ Differences between the US and Ga constitutions
GOVERNMENT PRINCIPLES REVIEW 2026
◉ Selective Incorporation (14th amendment)
Answer: (since 1925) the court uses this process to manipulate the
protection offered by the Bill of Rights to US citizens on a case-by-
case basis.
And- congress uses this to restrict state and local power
◉ States adopt their constitutions within the context of:
Answer: national supremacy; enumerated, implied and reserved
powers; dual citizenship; and the 10th and 14th amendment
◉ What kind of power does a state constitution generally not
include?
Answer: implied
◉ What additional power do state constitutions typically include?
Answer: police power
◉ Police Power
,Answer: the ability to promote public health, safety, morals, or
general welfare.
-this is among the reserved powers in the US constitution
◉ Some basic differences in the state vs US constitution
Answer: State: extremely long, no implied powers, more detailed,
numerous amendments and explanations about local govs, amended
frequently,
◉ In what two ways is Ga const noteworthy?
Answer: 1. it has had 10 constitutions
2. second newest- last amended in 1983
◉ How does amending work for state constitutions?
Answer: Many states do it many different ways- but almost all
require the amendment to be voted on and result in some kind of
majority yes vote.
◉ For the GA constitution, who can ask the state's voters to create a
convention to amend or replace a constitution?
Answer: The Georgia Legislature- and sometimes the General
Assembly can propose amendments with the Legislature's approval
◉ How many different constitutions has ga had?
,Answer: 10
◉ Is replacing or amending the constitution more rare?
Answer: replacing
◉ Three reasons why state constitutions are so cluttered, and don't
just focus on the fundamentals:
Answer: 1. attempts to gain political advantage
2. response to state court decisions
3. efforts to meet the national gov requirements
◉ Amendments adding policies to Ga's constitution have included:
Answer: earmarking, tax breaks, issues of morality, and limits on
decision making
◉ earmarks
Answer: requirements that revenues from certain sources be spent
for designated purposed- for example: Zell Miller lottery spent on
reductional scholarships (1992)
◉ Tax breaks
Answer: special tax treatment for various groups and activities- for
example: the taxation of timber and tax break for veteran's land
, ◉ Since the constitution has the power to specify who gets to
participate in key decision making, this aids in....
Answer: reducing the power of only one branch, and distributing the
power of decision making
◉ Georgia has had __ constitutions and the current one has been
amended more than __ times during its first 30 years.
Answer: 10; 70
◉ Similarities between the US and Ga constitutions
Answer: -bill of rights
-separation of powers (legislative, executive, judicial)
-US president & Ga governer substantial power
-US congress & Ga general Assembly bicameral
--senate and house of reps
-judicial review
◉ Marbury v Madison
Answer: the Supreme Court case in 1803 that called for judicial
review at the federal level
◉ Differences between the US and Ga constitutions
