Simulated NPC Elections (Update: legislation passed, rules upcoming, elections on the 25th)

[OBD]

Regional parties will be represented in these elections? For instance:

Dixieland Patriots Party
Fianna Fremont
Fremont Atlasian Inquisition Chapter
Liberal Party
Lincoln Atlasian Inquisition Chapter
Meadowlark
Southern Atlasian Inquisition Chapter
Southern Liberty Coalition
Southern Trans Rights Party
Random and Miscellaneous state & local parties

Would have loved to, actually. The problem is that too few Atlasians are registered in regional parties, so it would turn the mechanism into something more exclusive towards the minority that play actively in such parties. Mind you, I'd like to come up with a way to include regional parties or allow people to play as those too (without going overboard with troll parties), but given this is an experimental phase I think federal parties will have to do unless I make it explicit that for regional parties to stand, players have to play as them and compete against the big parties (unless those stand aside).

That might work, but as I've said, regional parties are disadvantaged in that they have only a fraction of the player base.

Thing is, in federally noncompetitive regions like Fremont, regional parties might be the only sources of competition. In places like the South, the federal system would probably work well, but in the more solid regions it'll definitely work better to have some more diffrentiation.

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

Thing is, in federally noncompetitive regions like Fremont, regional parties might be the only sources of competition. In places like the South, the federal system would probably work well, but in the more solid regions it'll definitely work better to have some more diffrentiation.

Regional party registration in percentage terms is closer in Fremont and the South than it is between the South and Lincoln. In fact the regional party rego is more balanced in the South than is Fremont. Current regos can be seen here.

Key point is that regional parties should play a role even if it's only in coalition formation. This would actually make having a regional party more meaningful. Also isn't half the point of this to add flavour & depth to the in game world. Having regional parties do stuff in state elections would make sense, even if it's only in some state and not others. Also I'm not saying that regional parties should dominate state elections but some states should be regional parties play a meaningful if not significant role.

[Orwell]

I proposed a system kind of like this, but instead of simulating NPC elections it would be simulating the federal elections, with quality campaigning becoming more important instead of it being almost entirely a popularity contest.

[Pericles]

I proposed a system kind of like this, but instead of simulating NPC elections it would be simulating the federal elections, with quality campaigning becoming more important instead of it being almost entirely a popularity contest.

That strikes the wrong balance imo in taking too much control away from players and into the GM's hands, but this idea definitely has promise and I'm eager to see how it plays out.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I proposed a system kind of like this, but instead of simulating NPC elections it would be simulating the federal elections, with quality campaigning becoming more important instead of it being almost entirely a popularity contest.

That's basically the Election Games board, yes?

[Lumine]

I've said it in some detail during my confirmation hearings, but no, we're not going down the route of simulated elections for player offices. Mind you, I don't think the game will fundamentally change (I mean a truly dramatic shift, there's certainly a lot of ways to make the game better) until the concept of zombies is done away with and the game becomes more conscious of quality instead of quantity, but I'm smart enough to recognize this isn't going to happen.

To quote from the hearings:

it's not an avenue that I will even give further consideration to, out of several good reasons: A. it never has had and never will have popular support, B. it lacks a practical way of being implemented even if it did have support (there would never be enough trust), C. it would alter the game in unimaginable ways, rendering it unrecognizable in some aspects, and D. its not and it won't be my role as GM to revive a doomed debate.

So yeah, this is strictly NPC focused and would rather not involve myself in that debate again in this particular space. I am, however, working on mechanisms to involve regional parties up to a degree, so further ideas are always welcome.

[KoopaDaQuick 🇵🇸]

koopa jr. should be the governor of iowa cuz nepotism

[OBD]

koopa jr. should be the governor of iowa cuz nepotism

Maybe not THIS, but it would be cool for people to have outsized influence in their home state (or if there's multiple active Atlasians in the state, their home region). I, for one, think it'd be incredibly entertaning to run a Portland political machine.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

koopa jr. should be the governor of iowa cuz nepotism

No, ma'am.  That honor belongs to the great John Engle.

[Anna Komnene]

This sounds like fun. I'm looking forward to see how it all works.

[Lumine]

Pleased to say I'm making process in planning the internal mechanics, and Lincoln seems to be advancing fast in passing the necessary bill to allow for these elections. Hoping the queue might allow Fremont to debate the issue soon as well, and that the South may eventually discuss this as well (wouldn't want to leave regions behind).

[Continential]

Hopefully I can start a Pittsburgh Machine like the Philadelphia Machines.

[Lumine]

Lincoln just passed the necessary bill, so it would only need to be signed, I think. Fremont is also making good progress on debating and amending the necessary legislation.

I wonder whether any Southern legislator could be persuaded to introduce a bill to allow for this mechanism? Really wouldn't want to leave a region behind for this experiment.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Lincoln just passed the necessary bill, so it would only need to be signed, I think. Fremont is also making good progress on debating and amending the necessary legislation.

I wonder whether any Southern legislator could be persuaded to introduce a bill to allow for this mechanism? Really wouldn't want to leave a region behind for this experiment.

What would you have in mind? I might introduce a bill in the citizen slot if so necessary.

[Lumine]

Lincoln just passed the necessary bill, so it would only need to be signed, I think. Fremont is also making good progress on debating and amending the necessary legislation.

I wonder whether any Southern legislator could be persuaded to introduce a bill to allow for this mechanism? Really wouldn't want to leave a region behind for this experiment.

What would you have in mind? I might introduce a bill in the citizen slot if so necessary.

What would be ideal is the region setting its own electoral system for state elections (governor and legislatures), which is what I need to get started without making an unnecessary assumption from my behalf.

Obviously other issues can be debated (Fremont had its own electoral system, both Fremont and Lincoln are debating term length and adding it as something formal, Lincoln set specific numbers for each state legislature, etc.) depending on what the region is interested on, but the electoral system (FPTP, STV, etc.) is the crucial thing.

[Sestak]

Lincoln just passed the necessary bill, so it would only need to be signed, I think. Fremont is also making good progress on debating and amending the necessary legislation.

I wonder whether any Southern legislator could be persuaded to introduce a bill to allow for this mechanism? Really wouldn't want to leave a region behind for this experiment.

fwiw I’m drawing up a slight redraft of the Lincoln bill, so will be another day or two before it gets finalized.

[OBD]

Lincoln just passed the necessary bill, so it would only need to be signed, I think. Fremont is also making good progress on debating and amending the necessary legislation.

I wonder whether any Southern legislator could be persuaded to introduce a bill to allow for this mechanism? Really wouldn't want to leave a region behind for this experiment.

What would you have in mind? I might introduce a bill in the citizen slot if so necessary.

What would be ideal is the region setting its own electoral system for state elections (governor and legislatures), which is what I need to get started without making an unnecessary assumption from my behalf.

Obviously other issues can be debated (Fremont had its own electoral system, both Fremont and Lincoln are debating term length and adding it as something formal, Lincoln set specific numbers for each state legislature, etc.) depending on what the region is interested on, but the electoral system (FPTP, STV, etc.) is the crucial thing.

For state legislatures, is redistricting gonna be a thing? If so, I'd be happy to propose a fair redistricting bill in Fremont to complement the current legislation.

[Lumine]

Lincoln just passed the necessary bill, so it would only need to be signed, I think. Fremont is also making good progress on debating and amending the necessary legislation.

I wonder whether any Southern legislator could be persuaded to introduce a bill to allow for this mechanism? Really wouldn't want to leave a region behind for this experiment.

What would you have in mind? I might introduce a bill in the citizen slot if so necessary.

What would be ideal is the region setting its own electoral system for state elections (governor and legislatures), which is what I need to get started without making an unnecessary assumption from my behalf.

Obviously other issues can be debated (Fremont had its own electoral system, both Fremont and Lincoln are debating term length and adding it as something formal, Lincoln set specific numbers for each state legislature, etc.) depending on what the region is interested on, but the electoral system (FPTP, STV, etc.) is the crucial thing.

For state legislatures, is redistricting gonna be a thing? If so, I'd be happy to propose a fair redistricting bill in Fremont to complement the current legislation.

Possibly, but the mechanism can't go that far into detail yet. Lincoln did add a redistricting measure on its legislation, and for context, Fremont already has the Constituency Democratization Act (https://talkelections.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Constituency_Democratization_Act).

[Lumine]

Really happy to say both Lincoln and Fremont are ready for this after going through the necessary legislation. Not sure what to do now, though.

[Anna Komnene]

Really happy to say both Lincoln and Fremont are ready for this after going through the necessary legislation. Not sure what to do now, though.

Venture into the unknown.

[OBD]

Will there be a way for NPC elections to proceed if the South fails to pass relevant legislation? I'd hate for this to be held up thanks to the incompetence lack of action by a certain legislature.

_{I mean we did it and we're the most inactive region. C'mon.}

[Dr. MB]

Will there be a way for NPC elections to proceed if the South fails to pass relevant legislation? I'd hate for this to be held up thanks to the incompetence lack of action by a certain legislature.

_{I mean we did it and we're the most inactive region. C'mon.}

here just send me the fremont bill and I’ll change it to southern.

[OBD]

Will there be a way for NPC elections to proceed if the South fails to pass relevant legislation? I'd hate for this to be held up thanks to the incompetence lack of action by a certain legislature.

_{I mean we did it and we're the most inactive region. C'mon.}

here just send me the fremont bill and I’ll change it to southern.

AN ACT
to bring state and local elections in line with parliamentary terms

Section 1 (Title)
i. The title of this act shall be, the "Local Electoral Calendar Act."

Section 2 (Electoral calendar for state and local elections)
i. Hereafter, all officers of the states (or territories) and municipalities of Frémont shall serve terms of six months commencing on the first Monday following their election.
ii. All regular state (or territorial) and municipal elections in Frémont shall be on the ultimate Saturday of the month in which they are given by the laws of those states (or territories) to proceed.
iii. The filing deadline for all state (or territorial) and municipal elections in Frémont shall be thirty days before the election.

Section 3 (Amendment to the Universal Suffrage Act)
i. §4(ii) of the Universal Suffrage Act is amended to read as follows:

No sooner than thirty days before the election, and no later than fifteen days before, the ministry of elections will send to every non-apparent citizen an envelope prominently labeled: "CONTAINS ELECTION MATERIALS."

This is the Truman bill on the issue. Hope that helps.

[Lumine]

Will there be a way for NPC elections to proceed if the South fails to pass relevant legislation? I'd hate for this to be held up thanks to the incompetence lack of action by a certain legislature.

_{I mean we did it and we're the most inactive region. C'mon.}

I wouldn't be a fan of leaving an entire region behind to be honest, though if people don't mind we can always proceed. The first elections could take place in the last week of June, so there's still some time left. I'd love to hear opinions on the matter though.

[Lumine]

A look at state legislature numbers:
(Coming soon: systems selected by each Lincoln state government)

LINCOLN:

Notes: Bicameral state legislatures (House + Senate, New Jersey House is a "General Assembly"), states allowed to switch to a semi-parliamentary system like regional government. Some states have nesting requirements for districts. Equal population seats, allows majority minority districts, redistricting via commissions every two years (starting in 2021). Instant runoff for House and Senate, states allowed to choose between PR list / MMP / or STV multi-member districts.

		House Seats		Senate Seats
Connecticut		151		63
Illinois		118		59
Indiana		100		50
Maine		154		35
Massachusetts		160		40
Michigan		110		38
New Hampshire		400		24
New Jersey		80		40
New York		63		150
Ohio		99		33
Pennsylvania		203		50
Rhode Island		75		38
Wisconsin		99		33
Vermont		150		30
Virgin Islands		25		15

FREMONT:

Notes: Bicameral legislatures (House of Commons and Senate), requirement for HoC seats to represent between 10,000 to 100,000 people, Senate seats to be half the HoC seats (states choose the actual number of HoC seats). Boundaries to be revised every 10th year. Closed party list STV with a 5% threshold. Fremont has the voting age at 16, and alll elections will be conducted via mail after July 2022.

		House Seats		Senate Seats
Alaska		40		20
Arizona		120		60
California		500		250
Colorado		100		50
Hawaii		50		25
Idaho		50		25
Iowa		80		40
Montana		50		25
Nevada		80		40
New Mexico		60		30
North Dakota		50		25
Nebraska		50		25
Oregon		80		40
South Dakota		50		25
Utah		80		40
Washington		120		60
Wyoming		40		20
Guam		14		7
Northern Marianas		6		3
Atlasian Samoa		6		3