1. 1970’s to the Present

2. 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

3. County Unit System Abolished

4. 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

5. 1970’s

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 1980’s and 1990’s

11. Rise of the 2 Party System
Georgians begin to elect Republicans to state & national offices in 1980s and 1990s
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

12. 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

13. 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