Bill: Accepted 2nd Council Amendment

[bharatj]

2nd Council Amendment

The Council of Ministers of Stratham enacts:

Section 1. Short Title

1. This act is the Election Timeline Amendment

Section 2. Commencement

1. All provisions of this amendment will come into effect immediately upon passage.

Section 3. Purpose and Reasoning

1. We have been in multiple situations where elections have been delayed. This is partially due to there not being dates that specify when elections need to take place, but rather vague descriptions. This amendment would set specific dates for elections to be held and adds an extra layer of accountability to ensure our elections.

Section 4. Amend Section 3.2 (c) of the Constitution from,

3.2 (c) The following process is to be followed for Council of Ministers’ Election:

1. The period for declaring candidacy shall last 48 hours.
2. After the declaration period ends, the voting period shall begin and last 48 hours.
3. The election results shall be announced no more than 24 hours after the voting period ends.
4. The elected Ministers of the Council shall be sworn in within 24 hours after the incumbent holder’s term ends. If unable to, the elected may be sworn in up to 10 days later at the latest, in which time the incumbent government shall remain seated until said swearing.
5. In the situation that a tie occurs between two or more candidates, the tied candidates shall be put on the ballots of a second poll for a run-off election. The candidate with the highest number of votes after 48 hours shall be the Minister Elect of the specific department. This process may be repeated as many times as necessary until a winner is declared.

To

3.2 (c) The following process is to be followed for Council of Ministers’ Election:

1. The election shall begin every two months on the first day of the month beginning on July 1st, 2026.
2. The period for declaring candidacy shall last 48 hours.
3. After the declaration period ends, the voting period shall begin and last 48 hours.
4. The election results shall be announced no more than 24 hours after the voting period ends.
5. The elected Ministers of the Council shall be sworn in within 24 hours after the incumbent holder’s term ends (the seventh (7th) day of the election month). If unable to, the elected may be sworn in up to five (5) days later at the latest, in which time the incumbent government shall remain seated until said swearing. This will not extend the length of the new term.
6. In the situation that a tie occurs between two or more candidates, the tied candidates shall be put on the ballots of a second poll for a run-off election. The candidate with the highest number of votes after 48 hours shall be the Minister Elect of the specific department. This process may be repeated as many times as necessary until a winner is declared.
7. If a point on the timeline is missed by 24 hours by the State Minister, or the Minister is unavailable to conduct the election in a timely manner, a judge may appoint the Deputy State Minister to conduct the election. If there is no Deputy available or the Deputy misses a point on the timeline by 24 hours, a judge may carry out the election. Any delay in the election timeline will be part of the five (5) day delay permitted in swearing in elected Ministers.

Authored by bharatj on behalf of the People of Stratham.

 

[bharatj]

This amendment has received Council assent and is hereby signed into law.