Laws governing ballot measures in Georgia
From Ballotpedia
This page provides an overview of resources addressing the laws and procedures that govern statewide and local ballot measures in Georgia, including constitutional amendments, signature requirements, recall procedures, and campaign finance regulations.
Explore the links below for more information:
- Types of ballot measures in Georgia
- Amending the Georgia Constitution
- Laws governing local ballot measures in Georgia
- Laws governing recall in Georgia
- Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Georgia
- Campaign finance requirements for Georgia ballot measures
- Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Georgia
Laws governing ballot measures in Georgia
Types of ballot measures in Georgia
- In Georgia, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
- In Georgia, the state legislature can refer constitutional amendments, legislatively referrred state statutes, and advisory questions to the ballot.
Amending the Georgia Constitution
- Georgia became a state in 1788. The current state constitution was ratified in 1983.
- The Georgia Constitution can be amended in two ways:
- Legislatively referred constitutional amendment: The Georgia State Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot with a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in each legislative chamber during one legislative session.
- Convention-referred constitutional amendment: A state constitutional convention can vote to refer constitutional changes to the ballot.
Laws governing local ballot measures in Georgia
- There is no mention of the powers of initiative and referendum in the Georgia Constitution.
Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Georgia
- According to Article X, Paragraph IV of the Georgia Constitution, a two-thirds vote in each chamber of the legislature is required to call for a constitutional convention without having to put it to a vote of the people.
- A simple majority vote by the electorate is required pass proposals submitted by the convention.
Campaign finance requirements for Georgia ballot measures
- PACs that support or oppose ballot measures in Georgia must register and report campaign finance.
Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Georgia
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
The Georgia State Legislature did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2025.
See also
Footnotes
