1970’s to the Present

County Unit System The County Unit System declared unconstitutional in 1962 Georgia federal court found it violated the concept of “One Person, One Vote” on the 14th amendment Power shifted from rural to urban areas African Americans now had equal opportunity to be elected to office in the General Assembly

County Unit System Abolished

Reapportionment When the County Unit System was declared unconstitutional the court ordered: Districts should be based on population rather than county lines Courts ordered reapportionment (re-draw) the district lines for voting based on population State must ensure all districts are of equal population size

1970’s

James Earl Carter Born in Plains, Ga. Went to GA Tech & received an appointment to US Naval Academy First successful political position was state senator for his district Promoted Education Served on Senate Education Committee

James Earl Carter Governor from 1971 to 1975 Elected on a Traditional Southern Democratic Platform. Reduced size of Executive Branch Reorganized the court system Appointed first female state judge Expanded special education, vocational education, & preschool

Jimmy Carter as President Elected Pres of US in 1976 (only US pres from GA) Added two new cabinet positions – Energy & Education Center piece of foreign policy was human rights Negotiated Camp David Accords, Panama Canal treaties, Established full diplomatic relations with China Problems leading to losing bid for re-election High interest rates & inflation Recession Hostage crisis in Iran

Jimmy Carter: After Leaving the Presidency Continued work for human rights through the Carter Presidential Library Builds homes with Habitat for Humanity Helps negotiate peace treaties, works to ensure fair elections around the world Authored many books Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002

1980’s and 1990’s

Rise of the 2 Party System Georgians begin to elect Republicans to state & national offices in 1980s and 1990s 1980 - Mack Mattingly becomes 1st Republican US Senator from GA since Reconstruction Major change in voting pattern since Reconstruction (1870s) GA no longer part of the Democratic party’s “Solid South” 1992 Republicans have a majority in the General Assembly 2002: Sonny Perdue becomes 1st Republican elected Gov of GA since Reconstruction

1996 Summer Olympics Atlanta hosted 1996 Summer Olympics Atlanta & GA gained positive international recognition Boosted tourism Expanded international business opportunities for GA Helped develop convention & meeting facilities, world-class athletic facilities Brought millions of dollars into GA economy Highlighted 1 major problem – need for improved infrastructure to make transportation work more smoothly

New Georgians 1990’s began a sharp increase in immigrants coming to GA Come for better jobs Better education To escape war & violence Largest percentage are from Hispanic countries