Introduction

In a 1982 discussion of a proposed balanced budget amendment to the U. S. Constitution, one commentator noted: "The Constitution of the United States is the fundamental political agreement among Americans -- an agreement that binds together not only living citizens but also the past and future generations. And a constitutional amendment, by altering that agreement, is the single most solemn political action that one generation can take."

The same should be said of the Georgia Constitution -- that amending this important document is a solemn political action. Regrettably, that is not always the case. Despite efforts by framers of the Constitution of 1983 to draft a document that would not need continuing amendment, no general election goes by in Georgia without more constitutional amendments on the ballot. This year, if all five amendments on the 1998 ballot are approved, a total of 2,003 words will be added to the Georgia Constitution.

For the benefit of Georgia voters, we have prepared this analysis of the constitutional amendments that will be on the 1998 ballot, beginning with an explanation of why the Georgia Constitution is amended at every general election. Next you will find a discussion of each amendment that begins with the language that will be on the ballot, followed by a simple, easy-to understand explanation of what the amendment will do, Voters interested in more indepth information will then find a legislative history of the amendment, its actual text, an analysis of how the amendment will affect the Georgia Constitution, and finally a list of potential arguments for and against the amendment.

It is our hope that this publication will help Georgia voters make more informed decisions as they participate in the important duty of ratifying changes to the Georgia Constitution.

Edwin L. Jackson

Melvin B. Hill, Jr.

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(c) 1998 Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The University of Georgia

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