Overview

The Attorney General does not normally have a direct role in vote counting and election certification in Georgia, but does investigate and prosecute fraud or voting irregularities.**

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Attorney General are:

1. Serving as the legal advisor to the executive branch. Ga. Const. Art. V, § III, Para. IV.
2. Investigating and prosecuting election fraud or voting irregularities referred to him or her by the State Board of Elections. O.C.G.A. §§ 21-2-31(5), -33.1(c).
3. Maintaining a hotline for voters to report voter intimidation or “illegal election activities.” O.C.G.A. § 21-2-3.
4. Representing Georgia in any civil or criminal cases when directed to do so by the Governor. Ga. Const. Art. V, § III, Para. IV.
5. Summarizing constitutional amendments that are to be presented to voters. Ga. Const. Art. X, § I, Para. II; see also O.C.G.A. § 21-2-4(a).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• Elected: The Attorney General is elected in a statewide election.
• Term of Office: The Attorney General serves a four-year term that coincides with the Governor’s term of office. Ga. Const. Art. V, § III, Para. I.**
• Next Election: The next election will be in 2026.
• Qualifications: In order to be eligible to assume the office of Attorney General, an individual must have been a citizen of the United States for 10 years, a legal resident of Georgia for the four years immediately preceding the election, be at least 25 years old by the time the office is assumed, and have been an active member of the State Bar of Georgia for at least seven years. Ga. Const. Art. V, § III, Para. II.
• Vacancy: The Governor appoints (subject to Senate confirmation) an individual to fill the vacancy until the next general election determines a successor who will serve the remainder of the original term. Ga. Const. Art. V, § II, Para. VIII(b).