Constitutionally, the lieutenant governor's primary job is to serve as president of Georgia's Senate.

The office of lieutenant governor in Georgia was created by an amendment to the state constitution in 1945.

The primary purpose of the office was for its incumbent to serve as a successor in the event the governorship became vacant.

Griffin establish several informal precedents during his tenure, namely by assuming an active leadership role in the State Senate and by naming chairs of the body's committees with the governor's assent.

The lieutenant governor assumes the gubernatorial powers and duties pending the next general election in the state.

Under the supervision of the State Senate, the President "shall as a matter of course and without debate, report the reference of bills to the proper committee."