JCP Convention Summer 2010: 8/19 Endorsements posted

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Is it possible for a member from another party to caucus with you guys? (I'm in the DA, considering moving to the JCP, but I decided to keep my party affiliation. /lieberman

Seriously though, I'm pretty new here and I don't know that much about the Atlasia thing (besides the location of the parties on the Political spectrum)

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Alright, finally switched parties to the JCP.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Why won't we introduce a primaries?

For party office or national/state?

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Why won't we introduce a primaries?

For party office or national/state?

Let see there are 2 JCP-er interested in running for Governor/Lt. Governor/Regional Senators. So they should run in primary (where all registered JCP-er in region votes) to determine, who'll be a nominee with official party backing.

So technically national/state?

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Is it possible for us to push the deadline back a bit, per say a week or so?

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

I'll run for Vice Chair (i have no life)

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Do we have a Senate Whip too? 

Also, seriously, let's run elections for Chair and Vice-Chair.  Why not?

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

I will simultaneously run for Pacific Chair and Vice Chair.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

I endorse ArchangelZero for Pacific Regional Chair, and, again - for those of you who missed the exciting news the last time *cough* - I'll run for Vice Chair.

Failing that, I'd like give being whip a try, although whether I'd be any, y'know, good is up to you guys.

I drop out of running for Vice Chair and endorse Oakvale for the position.

I keep my campaign for Pacific Chair though.

Why don't we debate the bylaws for a couple days then we can get a party vote by say...Sunday or Monday?

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

With Oakvale's concession, I now endorse Kalwejt for the position of Vice-Chair. (There, you happy now? )

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

So, are there any amendments to the proposition?

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Is there a list of all of the current Regional Chairs? I'd like to see it.

It's on the Wiki isn't it, let me pull it up.

Mideast Chairman - badger
Midwest Chairman - Fritz
Northeast Chairman - Antonio V
Pacific Chairman - bgwah   
Southeast Chairman - Bacon King   

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

I think we should decide what offices we even want in the first place before we start writing bylaws for them.

Would anyone object if I just opened voting soon that asked whether or not we should establish a secretary and a whip?

Let's do it.  We need a good whip to fight off Libertas lol.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

1) Shall the position of Party Secretary be created?

The Secretary of the Jesus Christ Party shall be tasked with maintaining communication within the party, to ensure that all party members are informed and kept aware of the actions and decisions of the party. He shall be responsible for maintaining a list of all JCP members, and shall assist the Chairman in preparing full agenda for Jesus Christ Party Conventions.


[ X ] Aye
[  ] Nay


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2) Shall the position of Party Whip be created?

The Whip of the Jesus Christ Party shall be tasked with assisting the Chairman in recruiting Atlasians into the party as new members. He shall also be responsible for assisting party candidates with voter contact about elections.

[ X ] Aye
[  ] Nay


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3) Shall the positions of regional chairmen be abolished?


[  ] Aye
[X] Nay
[  ] Abstain

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

^ Indeed. 1 and 2 have passed and 3 has failed.

In that case, let us return to the draft Bacon King wrote...

As written by BK:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I would prefer changing election months for party officials to coincide with Presidential elections, though I would also include a "special" election next month to fill the positions and resolve all the offices people clearly want to run for!

Additionally, I would add a Clause G that says should an officer be removed (see F), the Chairman may appoint a replacement who will serve the remainder of the term.

I think when terms begin and end should also be defined. Perhaps the first Friday of the following month as is the case for federal offices? Leadership changes right before an election could be confusing.

I would also prefer people declaring for a party office themselves rather than by nomination, but I suppose this isn't terribly important to me.

I believe the DA and RPP both have their non-Chair positions appointed. Is that something we should consider? It doesn't really matter to me, just wondering.

To the issue of when the terms end and begin, how about beginning the Friday after an election (1 or 2 weeks), and ending the day before election.  There would be no officers in this short gap, but I doubt that it'd be a big deal.  And I support grouping the Federal and Party elections.  I will also support the appointment of officers only in the case of an officer resigning or is forced out of office.

I would also like to amend Clause E from a 1/5 signatures required to a 1/4 signatures required.  A more sizable majority makes a greater case for deposition.  I also think we should define procedure in the case of a resignation or impeachment.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

So are we going to get any of this done?

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Ah, apologies, I've been a bit busy with real life issues (The Tulane website wasn't letting me register for my classes next semester; I've been on the phone with six different departments trying to figure it out and only now has it been fixed. This is AFTER, of course, an adviser misinformed me that I had a block on my registration due to some sort of outstanding debt that didn't even exist).

Nevertheless, I'll type out the rest of the bylaws pretty soon.

It's fine, I just thought the party completely forgot we had some reforming to do.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

^ Indeed. 1 and 2 have passed and 3 has failed.

In that case, let us return to the draft Bacon King wrote...

As written by BK:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I would prefer changing election months for party officials to coincide with Presidential elections, though I would also include a "special" election next month to fill the positions and resolve all the offices people clearly want to run for!

Additionally, I would add a Clause G that says should an officer be removed (see F), the Chairman may appoint a replacement who will serve the remainder of the term.

I think when terms begin and end should also be defined. Perhaps the first Friday of the following month as is the case for federal offices? Leadership changes right before an election could be confusing.

I would also prefer people declaring for a party office themselves rather than by nomination, but I suppose this isn't terribly important to me.

I believe the DA and RPP both have their non-Chair positions appointed. Is that something we should consider? It doesn't really matter to me, just wondering.

To the issue of when the terms end and begin, how about beginning the Friday after an election (1 or 2 weeks), and ending the day before election.  There would be no officers in this short gap, but I doubt that it'd be a big deal.  And I support grouping the Federal and Party elections.  I will also support the appointment of officers only in the case of an officer resigning or is forced out of office.

I would also like to amend Clause E from a 1/5 signatures required to a 1/4 signatures required.  A more sizable majority makes a greater case for deposition.  I also think we should define procedure in the case of a resignation or impeachment.

My two cents on the various proposals, FWIW:

I prefer bgwah's suggestion for the period of officers terms. We can and should avoid even brief periods of vacancy.

Bgwah also has the right idea to allow the Chair to appoint an interim officer to serve until the next convention, but this should include not only vacancies caused by an officer's involuntary removal pursuant to Section 2 Para F, but any resulting officer vacancy including voluntary resignation and the like. Otherwise any vacancy resulting from reasons other than removal for cause can't be filled until the next convention pursuant to Sec. 2 Para B.

I firmly believe we should elect non-Chair positions.

Maybe candidates could be nominated by anyone, including themselves, but any nomination must be seconded? This might avoid wasting time on 14-1 officer elections, but like Bgwah this isn't terribly important to me either.

Otherwise I like all Bgwah's suggestions and could go either way on whether the signature threshold for officer recall petitions should be 1/4 or 1/5 of party members.

I will support those proposals for appointing an officer, but only if and when one resigns or is impeached.  I will also concede to the proposed term durations.

I still stand by the change to 1/4 signature threshold in order to create a better and more solid reasoning for impeachment.  I also propose we fully define impeachment proceedings if we ever come upon the necessity.

I also like the idea of being nominated and seconded, but I'd like to say we have every candidate for each office get two endorsements in order to run.  Those who endorse will not be able to run for the same office, and it will make sure there are no massive 14-way elections.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

For Vice Chair, Secretary and Whip we should elect them now and then on next convention for regular term

I thought we were  planning a special election for all offices sometime in the coming weeks.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

I'll start working on my own version of the bylaws, so we'll have some options when it comes time to finalize.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Article I: Regulations Concerning Party Officials

Section 1: Party Officials, Defined

A. The Chairman of the Jesus Christ Party shall be the leader and figurehead of the party. He shall manage the daily activities of the party and shall lead and organize other party officials in their duties. He shall chair all Jesus Christ Party Conventions unless this task is delegated by the Chairman to another member of the party.

B. The Vice Chairman of the Jesus Christ Party shall be the deputy leader of the party. He shall assist the Chairman in all areas of party operation. He shall serve as Acting Chairman in the event of a declared absence of the Chairman, or in the interim between a Chairman's resignation/dismissal and the election of a new Chairman.

C. The Secretary of the Jesus Christ Party shall be tasked with maintaining communication within the party, to ensure that all party members are informed and kept aware of the actions and decisions of the party. He shall be responsible for maintaining a list of all JCP members, and shall assist the Chairman in preparing full agenda for Jesus Christ Party Conventions.

D. The Whip of the Jesus Christ Party shall be tasked with assisting the Chairman in recruiting Atlasians into the party as new members. He shall also be responsible for assisting party candidates with voter contact about elections.

E. The Regional Chairmen of the Jesus Christ Party shall be tasked with representing and operating the party within his region, as well as to recruit candidates for regional elections. There shall be one Regional Chairman for each region of Atlasia. A Regional Chairman must legally reside within the region in which he chairs the Jesus Christ Party.

Section 2: Bylaws Concerning Party Officials

A. All Party Officials must be members of the Jesus Christ Party for at least thirty days before their election.

B. All Party Offices shall be elected by party members during Jesus Christ Party Conventions in the months of April, August, and December. Vacant Party Offices shall be filled at the following Jesus Christ Party Convention.

C. Elections for all Party Officials must occur at a Jesus Christ Party convention and must be immediately preceded by a nominating phase of two to five days. Elections shall use Instant Runoff Voting. A simple majority is sufficient for election to any Party Office.

D. No individual may serve simultaneously in more than one Party Offices, with the exception that a party member may serve as a Regional Chairman while also serving in one other Party Office.

E. Those who wish to run for a party office must have one nomination and have it seconded.  The candidate cannot nominate him or herself.  Those who nominate and second the candidate for an office cannot run for said office themselves.

F. Forty-eight hours before a convention, the Party Secretary must inform the SoFE of declared candidates who have qualified to run in an election for their respective office.  If the party wishes to prohibit a candidate from running for office, there must be a petition with 1/4 of the party's signatures.  A vote will then be held with a 3/5 majority in favor of prohibiting the candidate from running.  The Party Secretary will then inform the SoFE that the candidate has been banned.

G. Should there be any cross-party endorsements made for a particular candidate, said Candidate must have either that party's Chairman or Vice-Chairman to approve this endorsement.

H. The term for each party office will begin and end the first Friday after a Convention.

F. A vote to dismiss a Party Official from their Party Office may occur after one-fourth of all party members sign a petition for a vote on the dismissal of this Party Official. Immediately following the petition, the Party Chairman shall open an emergency convention with the purpose of holding a hearing regarding the impeachment and vote on this official's dismissal (unless the Party Chairman is the subject of the petition in question; then it shall be the task of the Party Secretary).

H. If any Party Official leaves the Jesus Christ Party, is removed from the Jesus Christ Party, or does not post on the Atlas forum for twenty days without a prior declaration of his absence, they are immediately removed from his Party Office.  

I. Should an official be removed from office, the Party Chairman will then appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term.  If the ousted official is the Party Chairman, then  the Vice-Chair will replace them.

Article II: Bylaws Concerning Party Activities

Section 1: Party Conventions, Defined

A. A Party Convention is hereby defined as a meeting of the members of the party with it's officials.

B. Each proper convention will take place in the months of February, June, and October.  These conventions will take place one week before the Presidential Election, and will end on the day of the Presidential Election.

C. All party elections are to take place during the proper Party Conventions.

D. All discussion of bylaws and amendments are to take place during proper Party Conventions.

E. Should their be an "improper" or "emergency" convention, it shall be at the Chairman's choice and discretion.

F. The Agenda of "improper" or "emergency" conventions are defined by the Party Chairman and the members of the party calling for said convention.

G. All impeachment hearings are to take place during "improper" or "emergency" Party Conventions.

Section 2: Other Party Activities

A. All other party activities, as defined by the members of the Jesus Christ Party, take place at the discretion of the members and Party Leadership.

B. The Chair and Vice-Chair must approve all other party activities.  There are no exceptions.


My proposed draft of the bill.  I don't see how the Fusion-Ballot Reform Act pertains to party elections, considering that it deals with multiple parties and said nominations.  However, I did add clauses E, F, and G which attempted to address it.

I have also included a second article defining the Party Conventions and Activities.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

I have re-amended my draft of the bylaws.  I have added a second article defining Party Conventions and other activities.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Ok, I got confused as to what exactly the Fusion Ballot Reform Act was for, so I re-re-re-edited the bylaws.


Article I: Regulations Concerning Party Officials

Section 1: Party Officials, Defined

A. The Chairman of the Jesus Christ Party shall be the leader and figurehead of the party. He shall manage the daily activities of the party and shall lead and organize other party officials in their duties. He shall chair all Jesus Christ Party Conventions unless this task is delegated by the Chairman to another member of the party.

B. The Vice Chairman of the Jesus Christ Party shall be the deputy leader of the party. He shall assist the Chairman in all areas of party operation. He shall serve as Acting Chairman in the event of a declared absence of the Chairman, or in the interim between a Chairman's resignation/dismissal and the election of a new Chairman.

C. The Secretary of the Jesus Christ Party shall be tasked with maintaining communication within the party, to ensure that all party members are informed and kept aware of the actions and decisions of the party. He shall be responsible for maintaining a list of all JCP members, and shall assist the Chairman in preparing full agenda for Jesus Christ Party Conventions.

D. The Whip of the Jesus Christ Party shall be tasked with assisting the Chairman in recruiting Atlasians into the party as new members. He shall also be responsible for assisting party candidates with voter contact about elections.

E. The Regional Chairmen of the Jesus Christ Party shall be tasked with representing and operating the party within his region, as well as to recruit candidates for regional elections. There shall be one Regional Chairman for each region of Atlasia. A Regional Chairman must legally reside within the region in which he chairs the Jesus Christ Party.

Section 2: Bylaws Concerning Party Officials

A. All Party Officials must be members of the Jesus Christ Party for at least thirty days before their election.

B. All Party Offices shall be elected by party members during Jesus Christ Party Conventions in the months of February, June, and October. Vacant Party Offices shall be filled at the following Jesus Christ Party Convention.

C. Elections for all Party Officials must occur at a Jesus Christ Party convention and must be immediately preceded by a nominating phase of two to five days. Elections shall use Instant Runoff Voting. A simple majority is sufficient for election to any Party Office.

D. No individual may serve simultaneously in more than one Party Offices, with the exception that a party member may serve as a Regional Chairman while also serving in one other Party Office.

E. Those who wish to run for a party office must have one nomination and have it seconded.  The candidate cannot nominate him or herself.  Those who nominate and second the candidate for an office cannot run for said office themselves.

F. If the party wishes to prohibit a candidate from running for office, there must be a petition with 1/4 of the party's signatures.  A vote will then be held with a 3/5 majority in favor of prohibiting the candidate from running.

G. Should there be any cross-party endorsements made for a particular candidate, said Candidate must have either that party's Chairman or Vice-Chairman to approve this endorsement.

H. The term for each party office will begin and end the first Friday after a Convention.

I. A vote to dismiss a Party Official from their Party Office may occur after one-fourth of all party members sign a petition for a vote on the dismissal of this Party Official. Immediately following the petition, the Party Chairman shall open an emergency convention with the purpose of holding a hearing regarding the impeachment and vote on this official's dismissal (unless the Party Chairman is the subject of the petition in question; then it shall be the task of the Party Vice-Chairman).

J. If any Party Official leaves the Jesus Christ Party, is removed from the Jesus Christ Party, or does not post on the Atlas forum for twenty days without a prior declaration of his absence, they are immediately removed from his Party Office.  

K. Should an official be removed from office, the Party Chairman will then appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term.  If the ousted official is the Party Chairman, then  the Vice-Chair will replace them.

Article II: Bylaws Concerning Party Activities

Section 1: Party Conventions, Defined

A. A Party Convention is hereby defined as a meeting of the members of the party with it's officials.

B. Each proper convention will take place in the months of February, June, and October.  These conventions will take place two weeks before the Presidential Election, and will end on the day of the Presidential Election.

C. All party elections are to take place during the proper Party Conventions.

D. All discussion of bylaws and amendments are to take place during proper Party Conventions.

E. Should their be an "improper" or "emergency" convention, it shall be at the Chairman's choice and discretion.

F. The Agenda of "improper" or "emergency" conventions are defined by the Party Chairman and the members of the party calling for said convention.

G. All impeachment hearings are to take place during "improper" or "emergency" Party Conventions.

Section 2: Other Party Activities

A. All other party activities, as defined by the members of the Jesus Christ Party, take place at the discretion of the members and Party Leadership.

B. The Chair and Vice-Chair must approve all other party activities.  There are no exceptions.

Article III: Regarding Atlasian Elections

Section 1: General Elections

A. The JCP must have a Party Primary regarding multiple candidates for a single office.  A candidate can win this primary with a simple majority.  The candidate who has won will be placed on the party ballot line.  

B. The above will not be applicable to at-large Senate elections or Regional Assemblies with multiple openings.

C. Defeated candidates will be given the choice to concede or run as Independents.  

D. The Secretary will then inform the SoFE of which candidate will be on the ballot line.  This must be done at latest, 48 hours before the General Election, or there will be no JCP candidate(s) on said ballot line.

E. Should the Party wish to disown their candidate from the ballot line (in the case of a single candidate or last minute issues), a simple majority is required from the party.  The candidate is then given the choice to run as an independent or concede.

F. The Secretary will then inform the SoFE that said candidate will not appear on the ballot line (at least under the JCP).  This must be done 48 hours before the election, at the latest.  Otherwise, the disowned candidate will appear on the ballot line under the JCP.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Awesome. Thanks for finishing the job for me. Advice: edit Article III to allow the party's nomination of multiple candidates for races that have multiple spots open (At Large Senator elections, assemblies, etc)

Done.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

It's looking good, though didn't most of us say we would prefer party elections during Presidential months? It kind of looks like it says we would use Apr/Aug/Dec in one part, and Feb/Jun/Oct in another for party elections.

Oh, forgot to edit that.  Fixed.