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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Mar 18, 2010 10:46:03 GMT -6
I have spoken with the Secretary of State for clarification on the relevant law. This is indeed the first election where we do need to provide for a provincial election of our Assemblymembers.
The Secretary of State had continued provincial voting as a courtesy even though he was not legally bound to do so. Pursuant to 37RZ15 - The Provincial Government Unshackling Act of Oct 2007 we have the power to determine our own elective process.
I thank the Senator/Secretary of State for this legal clarification and am now prepared to participate.
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Capt. Sir Mick Preston
Capitán of the Zouaves
Posts: 6,511
Talossan Since: 9-21-2006
Knight Since: 10-12-2010
Motto: Cuimhnichibh air na daoine bho'n d'thainig sibh
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Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Mar 18, 2010 11:11:04 GMT -6
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Mar 18, 2010 16:38:10 GMT -6
Pursuant to 37RZ15 - The Provincial Government Unshackling Act of Oct 2007 we have the power to determine our own elective process. I thank the Senator/Secretary of State for this legal clarification and am now prepared to participate. From what you said before, I had thought your concern was about the potential extralegality of our body taking action this term. I think we need legal guidance on this and would invite an opinion from a member of the UC. I was operating under the assumption that the past Assembly was dissolved and we now await the end of the current election. When you say you're prepared to participate, does that mean you're willing to act and conduct elections?
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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Mar 18, 2010 18:14:07 GMT -6
I want to extend my thanks again for the excellent legal guidance provided by the Chancery (and our current Senator) on this matter. My concerns were indeed answered as legal guidance provided indicated that we are within the law and not acting in an extralegal and ad-hoc manner.
My suggestion for this debate within the Assembly is for us to simply conduct the election in a fashion similar to the current national election. Citizens of M-M would vote for the party of their choice and upon the conclusion of the election each party would receive a number of seats proportional to their vote in the election. National party leaders (or a designated provincial leader) would apportion those seats.
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Mar 18, 2010 21:54:52 GMT -6
Well, I don't understand your train of thought at all, but that's okay. What's important is that you feel answered and are ready to proceed with our original business. I agree, of course, with the customary voting schedule. I am not generally a supporter of IRV, although I recognize it might have potential, and don't think now would be a good time to give it a try. I actually think we might do well to simply follow the rules that will (hopefully) pass into law this term, as found in my Body of Law Act. The relevant portion is this: The size of the Provincial Assembly of Maritiimi-Maxhestic shall be equal to the number of citizens who vote for a provincial office in the most recent election, without regard for the content of their vote.
A vote of any kind, be it "joke vote" or disagreeable in nature, shall be counted as being a vote for provincial office. The only vote which does not count as a vote for the purposes of this count shall be a vote to abstain from voting, out of respect for the wishes of those citizens who might wish to abstain.
Thus, a vote of "Ben Madison," "none," "Vaclav Klaus," or "BUNGEEE BUNGEE" for provincial party shall all be considered to be provincial votes, and be counted towards the total number of the Assembly. A vote for "abstain" shall not be counted towards the total number of the Assembly.
Only registered parties shall be considered to be capable of receiving and assigning votes. A party's registration status shall be determined by the Secretary of State for the nation. The national head of the party which received a vote shall be responsible for determining its assignation within the Assembly, or his duly appointed deputy. Any citizen may be designated to hold any number of duly assigned seats.I would add the necessary addendum: The vote will take place over the course of two weeks, and shall be conducted at a time and by an individual nominated by the Assembly. Electronic mail and Wittenberg posting shall be the preferred method, but citizens are permitted to request paper ballots if they so desire.Incidentally, during this term I hope to introduce provincial registrations as well, that way we do not depend so much on the SoS. But that's for another day. I move that we adopt the above italicized texts as the official method of tabulating the vote this term. If there is a second to this motion, we can vote on it.
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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Mar 19, 2010 8:22:20 GMT -6
I think that the provincial assembly should have a set number of seats rather than it being pegged to the number of citizens who vote.
The time span and methods of voting are good.
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Mar 19, 2010 9:29:41 GMT -6
It was my belief that we shouldn't try to change the method of elections and composition of the Assembly at the eleventh hour, when we're just scrambling to have an election. Traditionally, the provincial assembly has been pegged to the number of votes. Maybe you would be amenable to doing it this way now, and then amending the permanent voting rules once we're in session?
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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Mar 19, 2010 10:19:23 GMT -6
That appears to be an appropriate step forward. I will prepare that amendment for introduction at the end of our provincial election.
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Mar 19, 2010 18:48:04 GMT -6
I move that we adopt the following as rules for the upcoming election:
The size of the Provincial Assembly of Maritiimi-Maxhestic shall be equal to the number of citizens who vote for a provincial office in the most recent election, without regard for the content of their vote.
A vote of any kind, be it "joke vote" or disagreeable in nature, shall be counted as being a vote for provincial office. The only vote which does not count as a vote for the purposes of this count shall be a vote to abstain from voting, out of respect for the wishes of those citizens who might wish to abstain.
Thus, a vote of "Ben Madison," "none," "Vaclav Klaus," or "BUNGEEE BUNGEE" for provincial party shall all be considered to be provincial votes, and be counted towards the total number of the Assembly. A vote for "abstain" shall not be counted towards the total number of the Assembly.
Only registered parties shall be considered to be capable of receiving and assigning votes. A party's registration status shall be determined by the Secretary of State for the nation. The national head of the party which received a vote shall be responsible for determining its assignation within the Assembly, or his duly appointed deputy. Any citizen may be designated to hold any number of duly assigned seats.
The vote will take place over the course of two weeks, and shall be conducted at a time and by an individual nominated by the Assembly. Electronic mail and Wittenberg posting shall be the preferred method, but citizens are permitted to request paper ballots if they so desire.
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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Mar 19, 2010 19:44:20 GMT -6
I second this motion.
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Mar 20, 2010 0:08:05 GMT -6
Vote on the motion, 13 seats total, 7 to carry: Vote | Aye | Nay | | Alexander Davis (5) | Total | 5 | 0 |
I vote Aye.
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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Mar 20, 2010 10:29:49 GMT -6
I vote Aye.
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Post by Istefan Lorentzescu on Mar 20, 2010 16:47:19 GMT -6
I Vote Aye
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Mar 20, 2010 18:00:19 GMT -6
Vote on the motion, 13 seats total, 7 to carry: Vote | Aye | Nay | | Alexander Davis (5) | | Istefan Lorentzescu (1) | | Breneir Tzaracomprada (3) | Total | 9 | 0 |
The motion carries. I would suggest our next order of business is appointing an election official for this election, as indicated by the newly adopted rules.
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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Mar 20, 2010 18:30:56 GMT -6
It is my pleasure to nominate Istefan Lorentzescu.
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