Georgia Constitution of 1877

(as ratified by Georgia voters in December 1877)

ARTICLE II.

ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.

SECTION I.

Paragraph I. In all elections by the people, the electors shall vote by ballot.

Par. II. Every male citizen of the United States, (except as hereinafter provided) twenty-one years of age, who shall have resided in this State one year next preceding the election, and shall have resided six months in the county in which he offers to vote, and shall have paid all taxes which may hereafter be required of him, and which he may have had an opportunity of paying, agreeably to law, except for the year of the election, shall be deemed an elector: Provided, that no soldier, sailor or marine in the military or naval service of the United States, shall acquire the rights of an elector, by reason of being stationed on duty in this State; and no person shall vote who, if challenged, shall refuse to take the following oath, or affirmation: " I do swear (or affirm) that I am twenty-one years of age, have resided in this State one year, and in this county six months, next preceding this election. I have paid all taxes which, since the adoption of the present Constitution of this State, have been required of me previous to this year, and which I have had an opportunity to pay, and I have not voted at this election."

SECTION II.

Paragraph I. The General Assembly may provide, from time to time, for the registration of all electors, but the following classes of persons shall not be permitted to register, vote, or hold any office, or appointment of honor or trust in this State, to-wit: 1st. Those who shall have been convicted, in any court of competent jurisdiction, of treason against the State, of embezzlement of public funds, malfeasance in office, bribery or larceny, or of any crime involving moral turpitude, punishable by the laws of this State with imprisonment in the penitentiary, unless such person shall have been pardoned. 2d. Idiots and insane persons.

SECTION III.

Paragraph I. Electors shall, in all cases, except for treason, felony, larceny, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance on elections, and in going to and returning from the same.

SECTION IV.

Paragraph I. No person who is the holder of any public money, contrary to law, shall be eligible to any office in this State, until the same is accounted for and paid into the treasury.

Par. II. No person who, after the adoption of this Constitution, being a resident of this State, shall have been convicted of fighting a duel in this State, or convicted of sending, or accepting a challenge, or convicted of aiding, or abetting such duel, shall hold office in this State, unless he shall have been pardoned; and every such person shall, also, be subject to such punishment as may be prescribed by law.

SECTION V.

Paragraph I. The General Assembly shall, by law, forbid the sale, distribution, or furnishing of intoxicating drinks within two miles of election precincts, on days of election State, county or municipal and prescribe punishment for any violation of the same.

SECTION VI.

Paragraph I. Returns of election for all civil officers elected by the people, who are to be commissioned by the Governor, and, also, for the members of the General Assembly, shall be made to the Secretary of State, unless otherwise provided by law.

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