SB 110-14: Save the Senate Amendment (revised) - Failed

[Attorney General & LGC Deputy Dwarven Dragon]

Save the Senate Amendment

Modify Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution as follows:

(...)
3. The Senate shall consist of eighteentwelve Senators; nine six elected at large and one elected for each region and each subregion. However, this section shall not be construed to prevent any duly elected senator from completing any term to which they have been elected, with the full rights, powers, and privileges of said office.
(...)

Modify Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution as follows:

1. The manner of election for at-large Senators shall be as follows:
i. The nine six at-large Senators shall be elected for a term of two months by the eligible voters of the Republic according to a method of proportional representation prescribed by the Senate. Elections for the seats shall be held in the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December.
ii. If no other method of proportional representation is prescribed by law, at-large Senate elections shall operate on single transferable vote.
iii. At-large Senate vacancies shall be filled through appointment by the executive of the former Senator’s Party; but should a vacancy occur as the result of the death, expulsion, or resignation of an at-large Senator not being a member of a major Party, then a special election shall be held within twenty days of the vacancy to choose a replacement to serve the remainder of the existing term. The seats of the members elected 7th, 8th, and 9th according to the June 2024 Election Results shall not be filled if they become vacant. Ties shall be broken according to most first preferences, then most second preferences, and so on. In the case of such a vacancy, such a seat will not be relevant to the question of passage or quorum on any matter before the Senate.

The manner of selection for regional Senators shall be as follows:
i. Each region shall elect a Senator for a term of four months by popular election of the region’s residents administered by the regional government in a manner prescribed by the legislature thereof. Regional Senate elections shall be held in the months of February, June, and October.
ii. Regional Senate vacancies occurring more than thirty days prior to the end of the term shall be filled by special election of the region’s residents administered by the regional government within twenty days of the vacancy.
iii. Regional Senate vacancies occurring within thirty days of the end of the term, as well as the interim between a vacancy and a prescribed special election, may be filled in accordance with the laws of the region in question; should no such law exist then the region’s executive shall have the power to make such an appointment. No remaining or future regional senate vacancy shall be filled. In the case of such a vacancy, such a seat will not be relevant to the question of passage or quorum on any matter before the Senate.
(...)

Modify Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution as follows:

(...)

4. All justices of the Supreme Court shall resign on August 1st, 2024 and must either be re-confirmed by the relevant authority, or be replaced by a new justice.

In accordance with declining activity in the game, this will reduce the size of the Senate to 12 seats, six at large and one from each subregion. It is implemented gradually to avoid holding elections to non-existent seats and provide time for affected senators to find their next role in the game. It also resets the Supreme Court membership to ensure the return of an active Supreme Court.

The changes to Article III, Section 1 shall take effect immediately. The changes to Article III, Section 2 shall take effect on July 6th, 2024. The changes to Article V shall take effect on August 1st, 2024.

Sponsor: PPT Dwarven Dragon
Occupying: Slot 1

[Attorney General & LGC Deputy Dwarven Dragon]

During final passage of the Save the Senate Amendment, a drafting error was discovered that could create confusion. The drafting error has been corrected.

I would ask consent to proceed to an immediate final vote in light of the debate that has already occurred.

[GM Team Member and Acting PPT WB]

Save the Senate Amendment

Modify Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution as follows:

(...)
3. The Senate shall consist of eighteentwelve Senators; nine six elected at large and one elected for each region and each subregion. However, this section shall not be construed to prevent any duly elected senator from completing any term to which they have been elected, with the full rights, powers, and privileges of said office.
(...)

Modify Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution as follows:

1. The manner of election for at-large Senators shall be as follows:
i. The nine six at-large Senators shall be elected for a term of two months by the eligible voters of the Republic according to a method of proportional representation prescribed by the Senate. Elections for the seats shall be held in the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December.
ii. If no other method of proportional representation is prescribed by law, at-large Senate elections shall operate on single transferable vote.
iii. At-large Senate vacancies shall be filled through appointment by the executive of the former Senator’s Party; but should a vacancy occur as the result of the death, expulsion, or resignation of an at-large Senator not being a member of a major Party, then a special election shall be held within twenty days of the vacancy to choose a replacement to serve the remainder of the existing term. The seats of the members elected 7th, 8th, and 9th according to the June 2024 Election Results shall not be filled if they become vacant. Ties shall be broken according to most first preferences, then most second preferences, and so on. In the case of such a vacancy, such a seat will not be relevant to the question of passage or quorum on any matter before the Senate.

The manner of selection for regional Senators shall be as follows:
i. Each region shall elect a Senator for a term of four months by popular election of the region’s residents administered by the regional government in a manner prescribed by the legislature thereof. Regional Senate elections shall be held in the months of February, June, and October.
ii. Regional Senate vacancies occurring more than thirty days prior to the end of the term shall be filled by special election of the region’s residents administered by the regional government within twenty days of the vacancy.
iii. Regional Senate vacancies occurring within thirty days of the end of the term, as well as the interim between a vacancy and a prescribed special election, may be filled in accordance with the laws of the region in question; should no such law exist then the region’s executive shall have the power to make such an appointment. No remaining or future regional senate vacancy shall be filled. In the case of such a vacancy, such a seat will not be relevant to the question of passage or quorum on any matter before the Senate.
(...)

Modify Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution as follows:

(...)

4. All justices of the Supreme Court shall immediately resign on August 1st, 2024, and must either be re-confirmed by the relevant authority, or be replaced by a new justice.

In accordance with declining activity in the game, this will reduce the size of the Senate to 12 seats, six at large and one from each subregion. It is implemented gradually to avoid holding elections to non-existent seats and provide time for affected senators to find their next role in the game. It also resets the Supreme Court membership to ensure the return of an active Supreme Court.

The changes to Article III, Section 1 shall take effect immediately. The changes to Article III, Section 2 shall take effect on July 6th, 2024. The changes to Article V shall take effect on August 1st, 2024.

small amendment to just clear up any confusion regarding Art V Section 1, since read without the context of the amendment implementation could lead to some issue in the future if taken too literally. Unlikely, sure, but always worth making sure to ensure it doesn't happen in the first place.

[Attorney General & LGC Deputy Dwarven Dragon]

No objection

[Attorney General & LGC Deputy Dwarven Dragon]

Amendment Adopted

[Attorney General & LGC Deputy Dwarven Dragon]

Hearing no other objection, a final vote is beginning.

Aye

[Mr. Reactionary]

Aye

[West_Midlander]

Aye

[GM Team Member and Acting PPT WB]

Aye, in the end something needs to be done to address the malaise (there's plenty more than just this, and hopefully it's a temporary measure though)

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Nay

Even if a supermajority may feel compelled to pass this, it's still too late to ratify anything that should affect the results of the ongoing June election.

[Attorney General & LGC Deputy Dwarven Dragon]

Nay

Even if a supermajority may feel compelled to pass this, it's still too late to ratify anything that should affect the results of the ongoing June election.

This would get voted on as part of a special booth, and would take effect on the same schedule as before. June results would not be changed per the implementation section.

[nerd73]

Aye, in the end something needs to be done to address the malaise (there's plenty more than just this, and hopefully it's a temporary measure though)

[reagente]

Aye

[OSR stands with Israel]

Aye

[ReallySuper]

ʻAe

[YE]

Reluctant aye.

[RFayette 🇻🇦]

Aye

[Senator Spiral]

Nay. I fundamentally do not believe the prescriptions in this amendment would incentivize a change in the greatest root issue of the game: the declining interest among the voters themselves.

[Adam Griffin]

Aye guess

[fhtagn]

Aye

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

Aye

[GM Team Member and Acting PPT WB]

switching to nay after further consideration

[nerd73]

Changing to Nay

[YE]

Nay until the poison pill is gone.

[Attorney General & LGC Deputy Dwarven Dragon]

If I remove the judicial section, pretty sure the entire SNP 7 votes No which makes it mathematically impossible to get 12 votes to do anything.