Midwest Universal Alþing Official Thread

[Senator Kalwejt]

I forgot to withdraw this, so in order to make it easier

[hawkeye59]

amendment fails 0-5

[Senator Barnes]

I bring gifts of more amendments!

Big Note: I kind of feel like I'm dominating the amending process, so, in the spirit of universalism, I'm not accepting any of my amendments as friendly so that we can all vote on them.

Amendment #1:

Section I
4. The Alþing may elect a Presiding Verin Officer pro tempore, who shall preside over the body in the case of the absence of the Prime Verin or Deputy Verin. The method of election, and the term of office, shall be determined by the Alþing.

Since the position of Presiding Officer pro tempore already exists, it would be kind of pointless to create the exact same position with just another name.

Amendment #2:

Section II

4. The Prime Verin shall serve no more than two terms, consecutively.

This is already in statute, but I forgot about it when I wrote the original draft. I did, however, change the wording from "three consecutive terms" to "no more than two terms, consecutively."

Amendment #3:

Section III: Verinous Offices

1. The Prime Verin may appoint such officers, and may delegate such executive responsibilities to such officers, as he may deem appropriate.
2. All such appointments shall be made with the advice and consent of the Alþing.
3. Any such appointed officer shall continue to serve until such time as they may lose the confidence of the Prime Verin or the Alþing.

NOTE: This creates a new Section III, so all sections after it should be renumbered accordingly. 

Again, this is already on the statute, but was left out of this draft. 

Amendment #4

Section VI

To be successfully approved, the amendment must be voted on by one-third of the registered Midwest population at the time of the opening of the voting booth, and must have an absolute majority (50% + 1) three-fifths of the votes in favor.

NOTE: The numbering being used for this section is what it currently stands at.  If Amendment #3 is approved, this entire section would change to Section VII.

This makes passing a constitutional amendment slightly more difficult, raising the needed threshold from over 50% to at least 60%.

[Senator Kalwejt]

I oppose term limits.

[ilikeverin]

Amendment #1: I'm not sure what this accomplishes, then.  Certainly we want to use the sillier name in all circumstances!

Amentment #2:

I oppose term limits.

Me too.

Amendment #3: I think we should scrap the US Constitution's rather ambiguous "advice and consent", and just say that there needs to be a vote of the Alþing.

Amendment #4: The 50%+1 clause in the Constitution was created when we weren't a universalist region, to make it easier to pass amendments (though I believe they were still somewhat more difficult to pass then random initiatives; IIRC, the Gov. couldn't tiebreak to get it passed and couldn't bring it to a vote on their own).  I'm fine putting it back at 60%, now that everyone can vote.

[Senator Barnes]

You're right about #1, ilikeverin, the sillier the better!

I withdraw Amendment #1

I'm not crazy about term limits, either. But, that language was in Jas's original bill, so I didn't feel right taking it out. We can vote on it and see what the rest of the region thinks!

I'd like to amend my amendment.
Amendment #3:

Section III: Verinous Offices

1. The Prime Verin may appoint such officers, and may delegate such executive responsibilities to such officers, as he may deem appropriate.
2. All such appointments shall be approved by a vote of the Alþing.
3. Any such appointed officer shall continue to serve until such time as they may lose the confidence of the Prime Verin or the Alþing.

[Senator Kalwejt]

Since the position of Presiding Officer pro tempore already exists, it would be kind of pointless to create the exact same position with just another name.

Yes, but it's existing only due to regular act. I feel we should include this to the constitution.

And maybe we should have better name? Verin pro tempore, perhaps?

[Senator Barnes]

I think we should vote on the Amendments, now.  Remember, #1 was withdrawn, and #3 was amended in my last post.

[hawkeye59]

vote on amendments 2,3,and 4
2:
3:
4:

[Fuzzybigfoot]

vote on amendments 2,3,and 4
2:
3:
4:

^^^

[Senator Barnes]

2:
3:
4:

[ilikeverin]

2:
3:
4:

[hawkeye59]

2-fails 0-4
3. passes 4-0
4. Passes 4-0

[Senator Barnes]

Come on, guys.  No debate in here at all for five days?  Let's get back to work!

[hawkeye59]

Hello, anyone, other than Barnes? Any proposals? Put it in the introducing thread.

[ilikeverin]

We're still debating the new constitution, are we not?

Barnes, do you want to give us the most up-to-date version?  I know there's not too many changes, but that way we don't accidentally approve an out-of-date version

[Senator Barnes]

Third Midwest Constitution

We the people of the Midwest Region recognize the necessity of a codified constitution for the formation of civilized governance, and do hereby promulgate the following constitution, created to form a government capable of championing the rights and liberties of the Midwestern people, to reflect the international importance of the Region for which it is designed, and to safeguard the uniqueness and independence of the Midwest Region.

Section I: The Alþing
1. The legislative body of the Midwest shall be the Midwest Universal Alþing, commonly know as the Alþing.
2. The Alþing is a universal body, and is thus composed of all registered citizens of the Midwest.
3. The Alþing may establish rules for its own proceedings, and with the concurrence of two-thirds of its voting number, suspend such rights of such members as it may deem appropriate, except in the case of voting on legislation.
4. The Alþing may elect a Presiding Verin pro tempore, who shall preside over the body in the case of the absence of the Prime Verin or Deputy Verin. The method of election, and the term of office, shall be determined by the Alþing.

Section II: The Verinship
1. The head of government of the Midwest shall be the Prime Verin, who is elected by the Alþing, and shall serve at its pleasure.
2. The Prime Verin shall preside over the Alþing, and be its official spokesperson.
3. The Deputy Verin shall be elected whenever there is also an election for Prime Verin.  The Deputy Verin shall preside over the Alþing in the case of the absence of the Prime Verin, and shall become Acting Prime Verin if the office is vacated.

Section III: Verinous Offices
1. The Prime Verin may appoint such officers, and may delegate such executive responsibilities to such officers, as he may deem appropriate.
2. All such appointments shall be approved by a vote of the Alþing.
3. Any such appointed officer shall continue to serve until such time as they may lose the confidence of the Prime Verin or the Alþing.

Section IV: Elections
1. The Prime Verin shall continue his verinship for so long as he shall retain the confidence of the Alþing. After 3 months in office, the Alþing must hold an election for the Prime Verinship.
2. When the office of Prime Verin is vacated, a new election shall take place within five days of the vacancy occurring.
3. During an election for the Verinship, all citizens of the Midwest shall be considered nominees for Prime and Deputy Verin unless they specifically say otherwise.
4. Voting shall occur in the Alþing thread.  The election shall be conducted by the Deputy Verin, who shall be responsible for counting the ballots ast the colse of the election.  If the Deputy Verin is unable or unwilling to conduct the election, the Prime Verin shall be empowered to appoint another Midwest Citsen to conduct the election.
5. The election shall last for seventy-two (72) hours. Voting will be preferential and counted by means of the Condorcet method.
6. Voters will be entitled to vote ‘None of the Above’ as per any other candidate. Should NOTA be deemed the winner of the election, nominations shall be re-opened but such candidates as lost to NOTA shall be disqualified from being nominated on that occasion.
7. Reasonable determination of voter intent shall apply in construing ballots for counting purposes.
8. The Prime Verin and Deputy Verin shall take office immediately after the certification of the election results.

Section V: Motions of Confidence
1. When a confidence motion is proposed for or against an officer, it shall take precedence amongst the order of business of the Alþing
2. A motion must have the signatures of at least three (3) Midwest citizens.
3. If the Alþing resolves confidence in an officer, such citizens which may have proposed no confidence in the officer will be prohibited from proposing a further confidence motion against the same officer for a period of three (3) weeks.
4. The Deputy Verin shall have responsibility for the officiating of confidence motions brought against the Prime Verin.

Section VI: The Judiciary
1. The Supreme Court of Atlasia shall be the judiciary of the Midwest Region.

Section VII: Amending Procedure
1. An amendment to this Constitution must be proposed in the Alþing and must have the signatures of at least five (5) citizens.
2. The proposed amendment shall then be debated in the Alþing like a regular piece of legislation.
3. Once debate has concluded, the Prime Verin shall open a separate voting booth for the approval or rejection of the amendment.  The booth shall stay open for five (5) days.
4. To be successfully approved, the amendment must be voted on by an absolute majority (50% + 1) of the registered Midwest population, and three-fifths of the votes in favor.

[hawkeye59]

should we put it to a vote?

[Senator Barnes]

should we put it to a vote?

If no one has any more amendments then I think we should.

[hawkeye59]

Third Midwest Constitution

We the people of the Midwest Region recognize the necessity of a codified constitution for the formation of civilized governance, and do hereby promulgate the following constitution, created to form a government capable of championing the rights and liberties of the Midwestern people, to reflect the international importance of the Region for which it is designed, and to safeguard the uniqueness and independence of the Midwest Region.

Section I: The Alþing
1. The legislative body of the Midwest shall be the Midwest Universal Alþing, commonly know as the Alþing.
2. The Alþing is a universal body, and is thus composed of all registered citizens of the Midwest.
3. The Alþing may establish rules for its own proceedings, and with the concurrence of two-thirds of its voting number, suspend such rights of such members as it may deem appropriate, except in the case of voting on legislation.
4. The Alþing may elect a Presiding Verin pro tempore, who shall preside over the body in the case of the absence of the Prime Verin or Deputy Verin. The method of election, and the term of office, shall be determined by the Alþing.

Section II: The Verinship
1. The head of government of the Midwest shall be the Prime Verin, who is elected by the Alþing, and shall serve at its pleasure.
2. The Prime Verin shall preside over the Alþing, and be its official spokesperson.
3. The Deputy Verin shall be elected whenever there is also an election for Prime Verin.  The Deputy Verin shall preside over the Alþing in the case of the absence of the Prime Verin, and shall become Acting Prime Verin if the office is vacated.

Section III: Verinous Offices
1. The Prime Verin may appoint such officers, and may delegate such executive responsibilities to such officers, as he may deem appropriate.
2. All such appointments shall be approved by a vote of the Alþing.
3. Any such appointed officer shall continue to serve until such time as they may lose the confidence of the Prime Verin or the Alþing.

Section IV: Elections
1. The Prime Verin shall continue his verinship for so long as he shall retain the confidence of the Alþing. After 3 months in office, the Alþing must hold an election for the Prime Verinship.
2. When the office of Prime Verin is vacated, a new election shall take place within five days of the vacancy occurring.
3. During an election for the Verinship, all citizens of the Midwest shall be considered nominees for Prime and Deputy Verin unless they specifically say otherwise.
4. Voting shall occur in the Alþing thread.  The election shall be conducted by the Deputy Verin, who shall be responsible for counting the ballots ast the colse of the election.  If the Deputy Verin is unable or unwilling to conduct the election, the Prime Verin shall be empowered to appoint another Midwest Citsen to conduct the election.
5. The election shall last for seventy-two (72) hours. Voting will be preferential and counted by means of the Condorcet method.
6. Voters will be entitled to vote ‘None of the Above’ as per any other candidate. Should NOTA be deemed the winner of the election, nominations shall be re-opened but such candidates as lost to NOTA shall be disqualified from being nominated on that occasion.
7. Reasonable determination of voter intent shall apply in construing ballots for counting purposes.
8. The Prime Verin and Deputy Verin shall take office immediately after the certification of the election results.

Section V: Motions of Confidence
1. When a confidence motion is proposed for or against an officer, it shall take precedence amongst the order of business of the Alþing
2. A motion must have the signatures of at least three (3) Midwest citizens.
3. If the Alþing resolves confidence in an officer, such citizens which may have proposed no confidence in the officer will be prohibited from proposing a further confidence motion against the same officer for a period of three (3) weeks.
4. The Deputy Verin shall have responsibility for the officiating of confidence motions brought against the Prime Verin.

Section VI: The Judiciary
1. The Supreme Court of Atlasia shall be the judiciary of the Midwest Region.

Section VII: Amending Procedure
1. An amendment to this Constitution must be proposed in the Alþing and must have the signatures of at least five (5) citizens.
2. The proposed amendment shall then be debated in the Alþing like a regular piece of legislation.
3. Once debate has concluded, the Prime Verin shall open a separate voting booth for the approval or rejection of the amendment.  The booth shall stay open for five (5) days.
4. To be successfully approved, the amendment must be voted on by an absolute majority (50% + 1) of the registered Midwest population, and three-fifths of the votes in favor.

Please Vote

[Fuzzybigfoot]

[Thomas D]

[Senator Barnes]

[ilikeverin]

[hawkeye59]

The Third Midwest Constitution has passed 5-0