Court Opinion

ID: 9625069
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 07:27:02.624931+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:06:00.277063
License: Public Domain

CARLEY, Justice,
concurring.
I agree with the majority opinion, but write separately only to emphasize that, unlike the prior constitutional provisions considered in Hooper v. Almand, 196 Ga. 52 (25 SE2d 778) (1943), Art. VI, Sec. VII, Par. IV of the Georgia Constitution of 1983 eliminates the unexpired term of the vacant office, as well as any need for a gubernatorial appointee to run therefor. Instead, that paragraph establishes a new term of office, four years in this case or six years for appellate judges, for which the appointee must be allowed to stand for election. 1986 Op. Att’y Gen. 86-31. See also 1984 Op. Att’y Gen. 84-34. However, he or she must also be permitted to remain in office for at least six months prior to the next general election. Thus, our present constitutional scheme does not contemplate the preservation of the previously scheduled election process.
*222Thurbert E. Baker, Attorney General, Stefan E. Ritter, Assistant Attorney General, for appellant.
Edward F. Hurley, Farrar & Corbin, Christopher L. Corbin, Samuel C. Finster, Sr., Carlton Vines, Johnny R. Dennis, for appellees.
Albert C. Palmour, Jr., pro se.