Southern Regional Committee

[NeverAgain]

The Southern Regional Committee!

Gentlemen and gentlewomen! I am filled with such joy to do this! Let's get to work!

For Reference: Here are the most secure and prominent constitutions currently:

Mideast and Northeast

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I see two different routes we could take:
Route 1: Have separate special elections for the Class A and Class B Senate seats as soon as possible.
Route 2: Let this committee appoint the two senators.

There could also be a hybrid option, where we appoint the seat that is to be elected in June and hold a special election for the seat that is to be elected in August.

Those are what I see as the most plausible options - I'll leave it open for others to discuss before weighing in.

Well, here's how I see it. We're going to have to have elections for ratification of the new amendment so we could theoretically hold elections on both at the same time (Single Senate Seat and Ratification). The only problem is the South holds one candidate (Peebs) with no opponent. What we could do is appoint Peebs now, then as we get more candidates we could have a Special Election in August for her, and also have one for the Class B seat.

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Also wanted to clear this up. "Secure" means least loopholes, most long lasting and safest for our new region. My apologies for not being clear.

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Well if we're going to appoint someone, we need to do it properly: open a timeline for citizens to apply, evaluate all the applicants then decide. My understanding is that one senator will be elected for a full term in June and the other in August. If we are exploring the appointment route, I could only support it for the seat in June since it is so close. One thing I am personally set on: the seat that is to be elected for a full term in August should have a special election.

I agree. I'd love to hear our other member's opinions first, but my idea would be to, as you said, bring together some resumes and appoint a Senator. Then in August have a special election for the incumbent while also having an election for the Class B seat. Then the process can continue from there.

My proposal:

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[NeverAgain]

Let me clear this up, I'm sorry for my confusing posts. NO! We need two Senators to swear in on the 6th. My proposal was to have the Class A Feb/Jun/Oct election coinciding with the needed ratification of the Amendment to the Constitution and then we appoint a Senator for Class B (Apr/Aug/Dec) with the process I proposed. The Senator that we appoint will stand for re-election in August.

I'm sorry for the confusion! Also no problems here with you being chair. Hope you get to your computer quick hehe!

Also, under my idea Peebs would be running for the Class A seat. Then we can hold an election and then have other people gunning for the seat apply and we will review and appoint the nominee we all can agree on.

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Just a quick note: the terms "Class A" and "Class B" do not appear in the new Constitution, which uses numbers rather than letters to label the Senate classes (Class I is elected in February, June, and October; Class II is elected in April, August, and December).

Gotcha! I'll reflect that in the future! Apologies.

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Thanks for putting these up, helps map it out a lot!

Okay so with the new info about the end of June Elections I have some new proposals (Sorry y'all).

Plan One: Elect Class I Senator, skip June Elections, Appoint Class II Senator until August where they will run for re-election

Plan Two: (Buffed Version of Tmth's): Appoint Class I Senator until Late June Elections, Elect Class II Senator for Re-Election in August.

Plan Three: Appoint both Senators to stand for re-election at their correct times.

Personally, I think Plan Two (Leinad's plan C) is the winner. I don't think two coinciding Senate elections would turn out too well, so I think one must be appointed and it should probably be the one with the soonest referendum on the appointment. This reminds me a bit of the 1992 California Senate Elections, hehe.

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Principle Vote

Question: how should we fill the two Southern Senate seats?

[ 5 ] PLAN A: Elect both on June 3rd-5th, the Class I Senator until later in June, the Class II Senator until August.

[ 4 ] PLAN B: Elect both on June 3rd-5th, the Class I Senator until October, the Class II Senator until August.

[ 1 ] PLAN C: Appoint the Class I Senator on or before June 5th until later in June, elect the Class II Senator on June 3rd-5th until August.

[ 3 ] PLAN D: Elect the Class I Senator on June 3rd-5th until October, appoint the Class II Senator on or before June 5th until August.

[ 2 ] PLAN E: Appoint both Senators on or before June 5th, the Class I Senator until later in June, the Class II Senator until August.

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Peebs: Great opening line! Could you please go into more depth about your political beliefs? Where do you draw the line between regional issues and federal issues? Who would you describe as your political role model? Finally, how do you plan to be an active legislator? Thank you!

Would agree, love to hear where you stand on the issues facing our great region and nation. And to understand what a Senator Peebs would do.

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Peebs: Great opening line! Could you please go into more depth about your political beliefs? Where do you draw the line between regional issues and federal issues? Who would you describe as your political role model? Finally, how do you plan to be an active legislator? Thank you!

I knew it wouldn't be enough. Since time before the consideration begins is running out, I don't have much time (or effort) to write a whole speech. I'll give you a brief overview of my policies in President Infinity form. To me, issues that pertain exclusively to a region are regional issues, whereas those that pertain all three regions will be federal issues. Regions can also work together on multi-region issues.
As a legislator, I intend to vote with my gut on the issues of the region and the nation.

Completely understand, time is always a yuge constraint for all of us. It's just our decision making process is based on what y'all say. As Governor Tmth said we do have until tomorrow evening, so no rush. I would just really love hearing some great answers to what you'll do as Senator.

This is a very important issue as you all will set the basis for how we as the South will be represented to not only the rest of our nation, but also to the rest of the world. And so I not only have the utmost faith in this great process we have set up to accurately and fairly find the best possible person to represent our great region, I also have the utmost faith in you to be our great party's nominee for this great honor and the respect with the respect and dignity that entails.

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I was a little disapointed with Peebs' bid, I like her and I think she has a great political future here in the South, but if we are going to be choosing a Senator to represent the heart and core of the South we need one that can answer the tough questions before us. As previously mentioned the "trust me" campaign falls a little flat with little to no basis for the reasoning. I like Peebs and her fight, but I cannot truely support an appointment without the understanding of the true issues facing the South and Atlasia.

That being said, as I read through Pingvin's bid I felt a lack of understanding here also. And maybe it's just me, but I need to hear something about our New Constitution and what we're going to do to preserve and protect it. While Pingvin's qualifications are undeniable, his responses on his own stances worried me for the future of working families. I am and hope to continue to be an advocate for the working families of the South in my new position representing the South and the entire game as a legislator.

I worry I will not be able to work with the paleoconservative ideology and I cannot support that. As of now, I will be abstaining from this vote. But as Tmth said I stand with an open mind, and I also stand with a willing heart to accept either nominee.

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Official Ballot for Class I Senator

[ X ] Peebs
[  ] Pingvin

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Tmth, holy crap. Nice work.

I propose we make a to-do list in a certain order, I'll take Tmth's great examples.

1. Determine when we want elections (and referendums) to be conducted and how we do so. Personally, I think this is the most important and should be debated on first before we get to the humdrum things.

2. Determine how regional senators are elected and how they are replaced In case something happens (god forbid) to our senators I think we need to work on this to ensure a safe transition

3. Determine whether or not we want a Lt. Governor and determine the size of our legislature and how we want it structured (and its powers) Basically the Southern Government and what we want how we want to structure it.

4. Determine who is responsible for proposing a budget and determine the recall and amending procedures Basically more bureaucratic stuff, important but tasky.

5. Editing of Bill of Rights Considering we have a Constitutional Bill of Rights we can hold off on this until we establish the first 4 IMO.

6. Confirmation of region's name and capital Saving the best (and most fun IMO) for last.

I just figure if we have a plan this will work much smoother.

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It has not, but I personally do not see one as the majority obviously support it, unless it is necessary to the committee. I would propose they are adopted without a vote.

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Should Southern Gothic be removed from this Committee?

[X] Yes
[  ] No

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I'll wait for Leinad to do his declaring as chair of this committee, but I will say that after this I think we can unanimously appoint Peebs (As I think we all agree, I may be wrong though).

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So considering we are not doing the ConCon thing of Article by Article I thought it would be easier to set up a google docs so we can see what we're working with. As y'all know, many of these topics span many articles. I set it to comment only, just because I don't want the trolls in on it. If you guys want to send me your email, I'd be happy to share it with you.

Anyways, I concur with the Committeewoman on this. I think we should keep a semi-status quo for the South as it has been working fine. Elections are the heart and soul of Atlasia, but they aren't all of Atlasia so I think having an election every month (whether regional or federal) would be great.

On the issue of referendums, I would like to discuss this because I want everyone's input on it. In my recent memory, we have used regional referendums solely for regional constitution amendments which I think should continue but I'm just trying to come up with some other rationales for them. And also when the Assembly/Governor can authorize them. Anyways that's my two cents, join me on the Google Docs when you have a chance!

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Principle Vote

Question: how should we hold elections for the Southern Senate seats?

[1] Simultaneous with Federal elections

[2] A week before Federal elections

[3] A week after Federal elections

[4] Other

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60 seems like a long time, but 28 seems too short. For that purpose, I propose a moderate hero plan, so to speak: If the next election is more than 45 days away from the vacancy, an appointment must occur and a special election must be held as soon as possible, in which the new incumbent may or may not take part in.

What difference do you think the extra fifteen days make?

I'm inclined to favor a principle vote on the matter. I'd prefer leaving it to the governor's approval with the legislatures approval - I see 60 days (or 8 weeks) or special as a reasonable "middle ground" between the two sides of the coin, not only for strengthening the executive and legislative branches, but also so we don't have an over-saturation of elections.

Understood. I'd personally go for 42 days (6 Weeks) I feel it necessary for that new incumbent is able to make their own legacy if they do run for re-election and that should be enough time for that person to do such.

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Principle Vote

[3] Legislative Approval

[2] Special Election

[1] Special Election before a certain time threshold, Legislative Approval after

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I would be fine if we just went down the middle on 7 avoiding a vote, but either way.

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I would be fine if we just went down the middle on 7 avoiding a vote, but either way.

I'd prefer 6, but I wouldn't mind if we had 7.

Agreed, I just go with the thing that's most efficient. 

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A side point that I brought up last night with Leinad:

All fiveof us are active and are usually online in the evenings. Would there be any interest in the five of us logging onto Mibbit at some point together and hammering through the constitution there? We could provide constituents with what the chatroom name will be and also publish a log of the message afterwards. I think that could really speed up the process for us.

That sounds awesome, I will have to do it later tonight though (I have Marching Band practice)

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Not necessarily tonight - I have a function this evening. I'll try and create a Doodle Poll later tonight to figure out a time that works for all of us. If someone has time to do one sooner, that would be great too.

I think sometime over the weekend. Maybe Saturday or Sunday?

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Not necessarily tonight - I have a function this evening. I'll try and create a Doodle Poll later tonight to figure out a time that works for all of us. If someone has time to do one sooner, that would be great too.

I think sometime over the weekend. Maybe Saturday or Sunday?

I talked this over with Yankee, and Friday (tomorrow) night works for both of us. Not sure of his availability on Saturday and Sunday night, but if we can do it Friday night that would be better.


Well, we actually have two questions--when does it go from special elections to simply legislative approval the Governor's temporary pick, and when, if there is such a time, does it go from legislative approval to simply letting the Governor's temporary appointment stand?

I would go with 8 weeks and 2 weeks, respectively, myself.

Friday night sounds fine to me.

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Friday night sounds fine to me.

Good. Friday night it is, unless that doesn't work well for Peebs or Tmth.

Do you have any thoughts on the second part of my post?

I would go for 6 and 2 personally. But 8 and 2 sound okay.