- A Public Service Commissioner is an elected official who serves on Georgia’s five-member Public Service Commission, which oversees statewide utilities like electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, and trucking.
- The commission was originally created in 1879 to manage the building and upkeep of railroads.
- Today, its role is to make sure Georgians have safe, dependable, and affordable utility services, including electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications.
- The commission has five members, each chosen in statewide elections to serve staggered six-year terms.

Part of a 5-person board that regulates Georgia’s public utilities.

Georgia

2022 General Election

2022 Primary Elections

2022 Primary Elections Runoff

Utility Costs

Environment

Public Health

Energy & the Environment

Economy

Public Services

Public Service Commissioner

- The Lieutenant Governor (Lt. Governor for short) is similar to the Vice President of the United States. If the Governor is incapacitated for any reason, the Lt. Governor takes over their powers until the Governor recovers or the term ends.
- The Lt. Governor influences which new laws get passed by using their role as the President of the State Senate. They work with advocates to introduce legislation and assist in the selection of which bills go up for debate.
- The Lt. Governor oversees debate in the State Senate, guiding the discussion of legislation and casting tie-breaking votes when necessary. 
- The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years in midterm election years (e.g. 2022, 2026, 2030). Unlike the Governor, the Lt. Governor is not subject to term limits and can run an unlimited number of times.

The second highest elected official in the state and President of the State Senate

Lieutenant Governor

- The US Senator is a member of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. There are a total of 100 US Senators. Georgia, like every other US state, has two senators. 
- US Senators have a great deal of power when it comes to bringing the concerns of their state to the national arena. US Senators can author, sponsor, amend, debate and vote on bills which may become national law. 
- US Senators have an important role in deciding who runs the federal government. They hold confirmation hearings for most presidential appointees, including new Supreme Court Justices and Presidential Cabinet Members.
- Senators can be appointed to committees which focus on particular issues. Examples include the Appropriations Committee, which handles budget planning, or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a diplomatic body that welcomes foreign delegations.
- Senators are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections. US Senators are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

One of two federal lawmakers representing Georgia in the US Senate.

Economic Growth

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Public Safety

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Education

US Senator

- The Labor Commissioner is responsible for implementing the state's labor regulations, such as maintaining the minimum wage and enforcing child labor protections. 
- The Labor Commissioner is responsible for operating Georgia’s unemployment benefits program and rehabilitation programs. During the COVID pandemic, this role has become increasingly important as more people have lost their jobs and have filed for unemployment insurance and other related benefits. 
- In addition to these primary responsibilities, the Labor Commissioner produces statistics and research covering the Georgia labor market. The Labor Commissioner also creates workforce development and training programs, such as the GeorgiaBEST high school certificate vocational program. 
- The Labor Commissioner is elected to 4-year terms in a statewide election. There are no term limits for the Labor Commissioner and the salary is typically around $122,000/year.

Oversees labor regulations and development of Georgia’s workforce

Workers' Rights

Labor Shortage

Labor Commissioner

- The Governor is similar to the President of the United States: they oversee the executive branch, sign bills into law and then enforce these laws, and act as the commander-in-chief of the state military.
- The Governor has a large influence over which new laws get passed because they can veto any legislation. Georgia lawmakers can only override a veto with a two-thirds majority in the State House and State Senate.
- The Governor appoints heads of various judicial and state offices including the: Department of Education, Department of Human Resources, Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation, Department of Community Health, Department of Economic Development, and the Department of Natural Resources.
In case a state representative is not able to complete their term, the Governor can appoint a replacement until the end of the term. 
- The Governor is elected every 4 years in midterm election years (e.g., 2022, 2026, 2030). If a governor serves for eight years (two terms in a row), they must wait another four years before running again.

The chief executive of the state who oversees the executive branch

School Curriculum

Healthcare Costs

Governor

- The Georgia Supreme Court is very similar to the US Supreme Court. The Georgia Supreme Court consists of nine judges called Justices. They are the final authority on the Georgia Constitution. 
- Supreme Court Justices are the final court for appeals in the State of Georgia. This means they hear all types of civil cases, criminal cases, and cases involving the State of Georgia. 
- Supreme Court Justices hear cases to determine if a prisoner is being held by the state in error. They hear any cases involving the death penalty or the potential of the death penalty. 
- Unlike trial courts, Supreme Court Justices do not decide cases on their own. Instead the decisions are made as a group by majority vote. An individual Justice will then publish a majority opinion.
- The Supreme Court Justices internally choose a Supreme Court Chief Justice, who presides over oral arguments, leads case deliberations, chairs the Judicial Council of Georgia, and serves four year terms.
- Supreme Court Justices are elected to six year terms. Elections are nonpartisan and statewide. The Governor can appoint Supreme Court Justices when vacancies arise.

2022 Georgia candidates

Public Service Commissioner, Seat 3

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Georgia Lieutenant Governor, Republican Primary

4 candidates

Georgia US Senator, Republican Primary

6 candidates

How this impacts you

Georgia Labor Commissioner, Republican Primary

3 candidates

How this impacts you

Georgia Labor Commissioner, Democratic Primary

5 candidates

How this impacts you

Georgia Governor, Republican Primary

5 candidates

How this impacts you

Georgia Governor, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Georgia State Supreme Court Justice

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Georgia State Supreme Court Justice

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Georgia State Supreme Court Justice

2 candidates

How this impacts you