What was the main issue at the center of the Three Governors Controversy in Georgia?

The central issue during the Three Governors Controversy in Georgia was indeed the dispute over the election of Georgia’s governor. This situation arose in the aftermath of the 1946 gubernatorial election when a complex series of events led to competing claims for the governorship. Eugene Talmadge was elected governor, but he died before taking office. This led to uncertainty regarding who should assume the role.

The Georgia state constitution at the time did not provide clear guidance on succession, creating a power struggle among Talmadge's supporters, who pushed for the appointment of Melvin E. Thompson, the lieutenant governor, while Talmadge's faction attempted to install a different candidate, thus resulting in a standoff where three individuals claimed the title of governor simultaneously. The crisis underscored the complexities of state law and electoral processes, making it a significant event in Georgia's political history.

The other options, while they may refer to relevant themes in Georgia's history, do not directly address the primary issue at the heart of this specific controversy.