Who has the power to appoint judges to vacancies in Georgia?

In Georgia, the authority to appoint judges to fill vacancies rests with the Governor. This process is outlined in the Georgia Constitution, which empowers the Governor to make judicial appointments to ensure that the judiciary operates effectively in the event of vacancies.

The Governor's appointment power is crucial because it allows for the swift filling of judicial positions, maintaining continuity in the state's judicial system. This responsibility underscores the executive branch's role in overseeing the functioning of the state judiciary and balancing it with other governmental branches.

While other options suggest various mechanisms of judicial selection, such as the Chief Justice, state legislators, or public voting, none reflect the specific constitutional authority establishing the Governor's exclusive role in filling judicial vacancies in Georgia. This structure helps streamline the appointment process and avoid potential political entanglement that could arise from a broader voting mechanism or legislative involvement in such appointments.