Reading pages 174 -174 With the new constitution, the government was formed by THREE branches instead of ONE: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch was now BICAMERAL instead of UNICAMERAL. They created the SENATE and the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. With changing times and circumstances, the delegates provided for a method of amending, or making changes or additions, to the U.S. Constitution. The first ten amendments made to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. Video – School House Rock

Executive Branch Enforces the Laws Legislative Branch Makes the Laws Judicial Branch Interprets the Laws President, Vice President, The Cabinet, Departments (Defense ,Education) Supreme Court U.S. District Courts Special Courts (tax) Bi Cameral -House of Reps (2) Senate (6) -Elected by the people

Checks and Balances Checks and balances- the system that provides to each branch of government some power that controls or prevents some actions of the other two branches Separation of Power- a division of responsibilities for government among the three branches (legislative, judicial, and executive) Without checks and balances and separation of power, one person or portion of the government would have unlimited power. This is the creation of an oligarchy, autocratic, or dictatorship.

Checks and Balances Can appoint Supreme Court justices and judges Can veto bills and call emergency sessions of Congress Can decide if presidential acts are constitutional Can impeach the President, override a veto and confirm executive appointments. Can interpret constitutionality of laws. Can confirm or impeach judicial appointments, such as Supreme Court justices.

Three Branches Executive Judicial Legislative Action Enforces Laws Includes President Vice President Cabinet Departments (Education/Defense) Checks and Balances Can appoint Supreme Court and federal judges Can veto bills and call emergency sessions of congress Interprets Laws Supreme Court Lower Courts Special Courts Can decide if presidential acts are constitutional Can interpret constitutionality of laws Makes laws Senate House of Representatives Can confirm or impeach judicial appointments, such as Supreme Court Justices Can impeach the president, override a veto and confirm executive appointment.

Which Branch Has the Power? Which branch is being checked? 1. Create and pass legislation 2. Veto Bills 3.Ratify treaties 4.Appoint federal judges 5. Impeachment of federal officials 6. Confirm appointments of presidential appointments 7. Declare laws unconstitutional 8. Override Presidential Vetoes 9. Judges are appointed for life 10. Controls appropriations of money. executive Legislature executive Legislature Legislature executive executive Judicial executive Legislature Legislature Executive/judicial Judicial Legislature/executive executive Legislature Judicial Legislature/executive Legislature

To be eligible to vote in Georgia you must be: A citizen of the United States A legal resident of Georgia and of the county in which you wish to vote At least 17.5 years old to register, and 18 years old to vote Not serving any sentence imposed by the conviction of a felony Not judicially determined to be mentally incompetent