What authority does the Governor have regarding vacancies or newly created judgeships in Georgia?

• A. The Governor can appoint people to vacant/newly created judgeships
• B. The Governor appoints all judges for life
• C. Appointments are made by the Legislature
• D. Judges are elected directly by voters in all cases

Answer: (A)

In Georgia, when a judge leaves a seat or the Legislature creates a new judgeship, the Governor has the authority to appoint someone to fill that vacancy or new seat. This ensures the courts continue to function without interruption, even as the political and legal process sets the stage for elections to determine long-term occupancy.

The appointed judge typically serves until the next general election, at which point voters will decide who should hold the seat for the remainder of the term or begin a new term, depending on the timing and type of vacancy. This arrangement blends executive selection with the accountability of election, rather than making all judgeships lifetime appointments or leaving them entirely to the Legislature or direct voter election in every case.

So, the Governor’s power to appoint to vacancies and newly created judgeships is the correct understanding of who fills those seats.