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06 LC 28 2590

Senate Resolution 641

By: Senator Stoner of the 6th

A RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that persons elected to office who were the nominees of political parties and bodies may not change their party affiliation except under certain circumstances; to provide for the vacation of the persońs office under certain circumstances; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article II, Section II of the Constitution is amended by adding a new Paragraph VI to read as follows:

"Paragraph VI. Change of Political Party or Body by Elected Officials During Term of Office. (a) A person who is nominated to a state, county, or municipal office in this state by a political party or body and who subsequently is elected to such office shall not change his or her political party or body membership or affiliation after such election and prior to the expiration of such term of office without first resigning from such office; provided, however, that such person may qualify for nomination by a different political party for the office he or she then holds or for a different office or may be the nominee of a different political party or body for reelection to the office he or she then holds or for a different office without being required first to resign from the office such person then holds.

(b) The state, county, or municipal office of a person who changes his or her political party membership without first resigning as required by this Paragraph shall be declared vacant by operation of law upon such person changing his or her political party membership or affiliation and such office shall be filled as provided by law."

SECTION 2.

The above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be published and submitted as provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution. The ballot submitting the above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon the following:

"( ) YES

( ) NO

Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that state, county, and municipal elected officials may not change their political party or body membership or affiliation during their term of office without first resigning from office except under certain circumstances?"

All persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "Yes." All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "No." If such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall become a part of the Constitution of this state.