Ellis Arnall - Who am I?

Ellis Gibbs Arnall was a native of Newnan, Arnall had served as the state’s attorney general. Ellis Arnall defeated Talmadge in the governor’s race in 1942, taking office in 1943. A constitutional amendment passed during Governor Talmadge’s third term made Arnall the first Georgia governor to serve a four-year term.

How did I Fix the Problems Created by Eugene Talmadge

Ellis Arnall took steps to correct the problems with university accreditation. The General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment that made the board of regents a separate entity, no longer under the influence of the governor’s office. The terms of regents were staggered so there were always experienced members serving on the board.

These actions led the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to restore accreditation to Georgia’s colleges and universities.

How did I Help the State

Arnall removed the prison system from the governor’s control. He created a board of corrections to oversee state prisons. He created a pardon and parole board to handle pardons and paroles.

Arnall ended the poll tax, and Georgia adopted a new state constitution in 1945.

How did I help Young People

Governor Arnall is probably best known for leading Georgia to become the first state in the nation to grant eighteen-year-olds the right to vote.

When young men were drafted into the armed forces during World War II, Arnall argued that youths old enough to fight for their country were old enough to vote for their country’s leadership.