REGISTRATION.—­Before a citizen can become entitled to vote he is required to register.  On the first day of January of every year the tax collector opens a voters’ book in which every person wishing to vote subscribes his name, showing that he is entitled to vote.  From this book the tax collector prepares a list of registered voters of the county, which he files with the county registrars.  The county registrars are appointed by the Judge of the Superior Court for a term of two years.  The county registrars take this list and compare it with the list of disqualified voters prepared by the tax collector, the ordinary, and the clerk of the Superior Court, and from the two prepare a final list of registered voters.  Only those whose names appear on the list of voters prepared by the registrars, are entitled to vote.  On or before the hour for opening the election a copy of the list of registered voters is furnished the election managers.  All elections are presided over by three superintendents.  Votes are cast by ballot.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.—­The Executive Department of the State consists of the Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Comptroller-General.  Their powers and duties were originally vested in the Governor and his Council, but now the duties of each office are separate and distinct.

They are elected for a term of two years by the people of the State, at the same time the members of the Legislature are elected.  The qualifications for these offices are:  twenty-five years of age (for Governor thirty), a citizen of the United States ten years (for Governor fifteen), and of the State six years.

The Governor is commander in chief of the army and naval forces of the State.  He has revision of all bills passed by the General Assembly, and, a two-thirds majority in each house is necessary to pass a bill over his disapproval.  The Governor can commute sentences, and grant pardons to criminals, except in cases of treason or impeachment.  He is empowered to fill many important offices by appointment.  He issues commissions to all officers in the State.  He may issue proclamations of rewards for the apprehension of criminals.  He reports to the Legislature on the financial condition of the State, and gives suggestions as to any general law that should be passed.

The Secretary of State has the custody of the Great Seal of State and all State papers.  He preserves all the original bills and acts passed by the General Assembly.  He affixes the Great Seal to all State grants, and public documents executed by the Governor, keeps correct maps of surveys; and plats of lands granted by the State, and records all grants.  The Secretary of State grants charters to banking, insurance, railroad, canal, navigation, express, telephone, and telegraph companies.