L.C. 7.4: Lincoln Downballot Elections Act

[S019]

Lincoln Downballot Elections Act

I. Elections

a. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in May in the following states: New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Illinois, mayoral elections for the city of New York shall also be held with these states
b. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in June in the following states: Wisconsin and Michigan
c. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in July in the following states: New York and Massachusetts
d. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in August in the following states: New Jersey and Vermont
e. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in September in the following states: Maine and Pennsylvania
f. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in October in the following states: Connecticut and Ohio
g. This sequence shall restart after elections in Connecticut and Ohio

II. Composition

a. Each of these states shall have a bicameral legislature
b. House and Senate districts are not nested unless stated otherwise, also each House and Senate seat must have equal population to other House and Senate seats
c. The number of legislators per state shall be as follows:
i.Wisconsin: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
ii. Illinois: 59 members of the State Senate and 188 members of the State House of Representatives
              a. 2 voting districts for the House must be nested into each Senate district
iii. Michigan: 38 members of the State Senate and 110 members of the State House of Representatives
iv. Indiana: 50 members of the State Senate and 100 members of the State House of Representatives
v. Ohio: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. 3 voting districts for House must be nested into each Senate seat
vi. Pennsylvania: 50 members of the State Senate and 203 members of the State House of Representatives
vii. New Jersey: 40 members of the State Senate and 80 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. Each Senate district shall elect two representatives, in other words House and Senate districts have the exact same lines
viii. New York: 150 members of the State Senate and 63 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. nesting not required, however nesting districts is preferred, if possible
ix. Connecticut: 36 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
x. Rhode Island: 38 members of the State Senate and 75 members of the State House of Representatives
xi. Massachusetts: 40 members of the State Senate and 160 members of the State House of Representatives
xii. Vermont: 30 members of the State Senate and 150 members of the State House of Representatives
xiii. New Hampshire: 24 members of the State Senate and 400 members of the State House of Representatives
xix. Maine: 35 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives

III. Redistricting


1. Redistricting shall consist of a commission of the majority and minority leader of both houses of the state legislature, as well as 5 citizens, and 2 legislators from the minority party in the State House of Representatives
2. The commission must create a map that prioritizes one of these two goals: maximizing the competitiveness of districts or drawing districts proportional to partisanship
3. In areas where there is a high minority population, and it is possible to draw a seat where the voting age population of a minority coalition is greater than 50%, or where the voting age population of a specific minority group (i.e. African Americans or Latinos) that seat must be drawn by the commission.
4. In areas where it is possible to draw a seat as described in Section 3, Clause 1, but with a minority coalition or individual minority group population of above 40% of the voting age population, it is recommended that the commission draw that seat
5. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 3 shall be known as Voting Rights Act seat (if it is a majority of a single minority) or a Minority Coalition seat (if they seat is formed by a majority of multiple minority groups)
6. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 4 shall be known as Opportunity Seats
7. Redistricting shall occur every two years on this calendar (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027, etc.)

IV. Implementation

1. This act shall take effect two weeks after being signed into law

Sponsor: S019

Debate on this has begun and shall last for no less than 72 hours

[S019]

The game engine has asked for a bill for Lincoln to organize, its downballot elections, and I came up with this as a draft. Rather than drafting the whole bill in private, I decided that this issue should be debated by the Council. This bill is by no means final, however I think that it's a good starting point.

[Gracile]

I have an amendment to Section II that makes minor fixes to the number of seats in the legislature (the original text did not mirror the seat allocation that IL and ME have in real life):

Lincoln Downballot Elections Act

I. Elections

a. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in May in the following states: New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Illinois, mayoral elections for the city of New York shall also be held with these states
b. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in June in the following states: Wisconsin and Michigan
c. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in July in the following states: New York and Massachusetts
d. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in August in the following states: New Jersey and Vermont
e. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in September in the following states: Maine and Pennsylvania
f. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in October in the following states: Connecticut and Ohio
g. This sequence shall restart after elections in Connecticut and Ohio

II. Composition

a. Each of these states shall have a bicameral legislature
b. House and Senate districts are not nested unless stated otherwise, also each House and Senate seat must have equal population to other House and Senate seats
c. The number of legislators per state shall be as follows:
i.Wisconsin: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
ii. Illinois: 59 members of the State Senate and 188 118 members of the State House of Representatives
              a. 2 voting districts for the House must be nested into each Senate district
iii. Michigan: 38 members of the State Senate and 110 members of the State House of Representatives
iv. Indiana: 50 members of the State Senate and 100 members of the State House of Representatives
v. Ohio: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. 3 voting districts for House must be nested into each Senate seat
vi. Pennsylvania: 50 members of the State Senate and 203 members of the State House of Representatives
vii. New Jersey: 40 members of the State Senate and 80 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. Each Senate district shall elect two representatives, in other words House and Senate districts have the exact same lines
viii. New York: 150 members of the State Senate and 63 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. nesting not required, however nesting districts is preferred, if possible
ix. Connecticut: 36 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
x. Rhode Island: 38 members of the State Senate and 75 members of the State House of Representatives
xi. Massachusetts: 40 members of the State Senate and 160 members of the State House of Representatives
xii. Vermont: 30 members of the State Senate and 150 members of the State House of Representatives
xiii. New Hampshire: 24 members of the State Senate and 400 members of the State House of Representatives
xix. Maine: 35 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. three additional non-voting seats in the House of Representatives must be set aside for members of the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Houlton Band of Maliseets.

III. Redistricting


1. Redistricting shall consist of a commission of the majority and minority leader of both houses of the state legislature, as well as 5 citizens, and 2 legislators from the minority party in the State House of Representatives
2. The commission must create a map that prioritizes one of these two goals: maximizing the competitiveness of districts or drawing districts proportional to partisanship
3. In areas where there is a high minority population, and it is possible to draw a seat where the voting age population of a minority coalition is greater than 50%, or where the voting age population of a specific minority group (i.e. African Americans or Latinos) that seat must be drawn by the commission.
4. In areas where it is possible to draw a seat as described in Section 3, Clause 1, but with a minority coalition or individual minority group population of above 40% of the voting age population, it is recommended that the commission draw that seat
5. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 3 shall be known as Voting Rights Act seat (if it is a majority of a single minority) or a Minority Coalition seat (if they seat is formed by a majority of multiple minority groups)
6. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 4 shall be known as Opportunity Seats
7. Redistricting shall occur every two years on this calendar (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027, etc.)

IV. Implementation

1. This act shall take effect two weeks after being signed into law

[S019]

Friendly, 24 hours to object to the amendment

[Lumine]

I thank the sponsor for taking action to help make simulated state elections a reality, and I rather hope it is enacted!

I do have a few comments though:

-It would be really helpful to set a formal electoral system. The implication seems to be that it will be FPTP since the bill seems to point towards single member districts, but it would be ideal to have the system be explicit.

-I'd recommend setting up a general term (in this case of six months) in Section I rather than fixed months. We don't know how the experiment will work and whether changes on the calendar would be necessary, so I'd say it would be for the best not to be so specific in that section.

[Sestak]

Yeah I'll have an amendment up for this sometime tonight ideally.

Also considering allowing Lumine an option to decide if any states have chosen to follow the region to parliamentarism since last February.

[S019]

Lincoln Downballot Elections Act

I. Elections

a. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in May in the following states: New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Illinois, mayoral elections for the city of New York shall also be held with these states
b. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in June in the following states: Wisconsin and Michigan
c. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in July in the following states: New York and Massachusetts
d. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in August in the following states: New Jersey and Vermont
e. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in September in the following states: Maine and Pennsylvania
f. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in October in the following states: Connecticut and Ohio
g. This sequence shall restart after elections in Connecticut and Ohio Gubernatorial elections and elections for state legislature shall occur every six months. The mayoral election for New York shall also occur every six months.

II. Composition

a. Each of these states shall have a bicameral legislature
b. House and Senate districts are not nested unless stated otherwise, also each House and Senate seat must have equal population to other House and Senate seats
c. The number of legislators per state shall be as follows:
i.Wisconsin: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
ii. Illinois: 59 members of the State Senate and 188 118 members of the State House of Representatives
              a. 2 voting districts for the House must be nested into each Senate district
iii. Michigan: 38 members of the State Senate and 110 members of the State House of Representatives
iv. Indiana: 50 members of the State Senate and 100 members of the State House of Representatives
v. Ohio: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. 3 voting districts for House must be nested into each Senate seat
vi. Pennsylvania: 50 members of the State Senate and 203 members of the State House of Representatives
vii. New Jersey: 40 members of the State Senate and 80 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. Each Senate district shall elect two representatives, in other words House and Senate districts have the exact same lines
viii. New York: 150 members of the State Senate and 63 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. nesting not required, however nesting districts is preferred, if possible
ix. Connecticut: 36 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
x. Rhode Island: 38 members of the State Senate and 75 members of the State House of Representatives
xi. Massachusetts: 40 members of the State Senate and 160 members of the State House of Representatives
xii. Vermont: 30 members of the State Senate and 150 members of the State House of Representatives
xiii. New Hampshire: 24 members of the State Senate and 400 members of the State House of Representatives
xix. Maine: 35 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. three additional non-voting seats in the House of Representatives must be set aside for members of the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Houlton Band of Maliseets.
xx. All elections for State Senate shall be conducted by ranked choice voting. All elections for House of Representatives, except in New Jersey shall be conducted by ranked choice voting
xxi. Elections for the State House of Representatives in New Jersey shall occur based on a first-past-the-post voting system.

III. Redistricting


1. Redistricting shall consist of a commission of the majority and minority leader of both houses of the state legislature, as well as 5 citizens, and 2 legislators from the minority party in the State House of Representatives
2. The commission must create a map that prioritizes one of these two goals: maximizing the competitiveness of districts or drawing districts proportional to partisanship
3. In areas where there is a high minority population, and it is possible to draw a seat where the voting age population of a minority coalition is greater than 50%, or where the voting age population of a specific minority group (i.e. African Americans or Latinos) that seat must be drawn by the commission.
4. In areas where it is possible to draw a seat as described in Section 3, Clause 1, but with a minority coalition or individual minority group population of above 40% of the voting age population, it is recommended that the commission draw that seat
5. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 3 shall be known as Voting Rights Act seat (if it is a majority of a single minority) or a Minority Coalition seat (if they seat is formed by a majority of multiple minority groups)
6. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 4 shall be known as Opportunity Seats
7. Redistricting shall occur every two years on this calendar (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027, etc.)

IV. Implementation

1. This act shall take effect two weeks after being signed into law

Pending the Governor's amendment, this satisfies the Game Moderator's concerns. The nesting provision of New Jersey makes RCV impossible there, so NJ House of Representatives has to be done by first-past-the-post


Also 24 hours to object to this amendment

[CookieDamage]

New Jersey's state lower house is known as the General Assembly, not the House of Representatives. Furthermore, I believe NH's leg. is referred to as the General Court.

[S019]

retracting my previous amendment and proposing this:

Lincoln Downballot Elections Act

I. Elections

a. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in May in the following states: New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Illinois, mayoral elections for the city of New York shall also be held with these states
b. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in June in the following states: Wisconsin and Michigan
c. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in July in the following states: New York and Massachusetts
d. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in August in the following states: New Jersey and Vermont
e. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in September in the following states: Maine and Pennsylvania
f. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in October in the following states: Connecticut and Ohio
g. This sequence shall restart after elections in Connecticut and Ohio Gubernatorial elections and elections for state legislature shall occur every six months. The mayoral election for New York shall also occur every six months.

II. Composition

a. Each of these states shall have a bicameral legislature
b. House and Senate districts are not nested unless stated otherwise, also each House and Senate seat must have equal population to other House and Senate seats
c. The number of legislators per state shall be as follows:
i.Wisconsin: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
ii. Illinois: 59 members of the State Senate and 188 118 members of the State House of Representatives
              a. 2 voting districts for the House must be nested into each Senate district
iii. Michigan: 38 members of the State Senate and 110 members of the State House of Representatives
iv. Indiana: 50 members of the State Senate and 100 members of the State House of Representatives
v. Ohio: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. 3 voting districts for House must be nested into each Senate seat
vi. Pennsylvania: 50 members of the State Senate and 203 members of the State House of Representatives
vii. New Jersey: 40 members of the State Senate and 80 members of the State House of Representatives General Assembly
            a. Each Senate district shall elect two representatives, in other words House and Senate districts have the exact same lines
viii. New York: 150 members of the State Senate and 63 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. nesting not required, however nesting districts is preferred, if possible
ix. Connecticut: 36 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
x. Rhode Island: 38 members of the State Senate and 75 members of the State House of Representatives
xi. Massachusetts: 40 members of the State Senate and 160 members of the State House of Representatives
xii. Vermont: 30 members of the State Senate and 150 members of the State House of Representatives
xiii. New Hampshire: 24 members of the State Senate and 400 members of the State House of Representatives
xix. Maine: 35 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. three additional non-voting seats in the House of Representatives must be set aside for members of the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Houlton Band of Maliseets.
xx. All elections for State Senate shall be conducted by ranked choice voting. All elections for House of Representatives, except in New Jersey shall be conducted by ranked choice voting
xxi. Elections for the State House of Representatives General Assembly in New Jersey shall occur based on a first-past-the-post voting system.

III. Redistricting


1. Redistricting shall consist of a commission of the majority and minority leader of both houses of the state legislature, as well as 5 citizens, and 2 legislators from the minority party in the State House of Representatives
2. The commission must create a map that prioritizes one of these two goals: maximizing the competitiveness of districts or drawing districts proportional to partisanship
3. In areas where there is a high minority population, and it is possible to draw a seat where the voting age population of a minority coalition is greater than 50%, or where the voting age population of a specific minority group (i.e. African Americans or Latinos) that seat must be drawn by the commission.
4. In areas where it is possible to draw a seat as described in Section 3, Clause 1, but with a minority coalition or individual minority group population of above 40% of the voting age population, it is recommended that the commission draw that seat
5. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 3 shall be known as Voting Rights Act seat (if it is a majority of a single minority) or a Minority Coalition seat (if they seat is formed by a majority of multiple minority groups)
6. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 4 shall be known as Opportunity Seats
7. Redistricting shall occur every two years on this calendar (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027, etc.)

IV. Implementation

1. This act shall take effect two weeks after being signed into law

24 hours to object to this amendment

New Jersey's state lower house is known as the General Assembly, not the House of Representatives. Furthermore, I believe NH's leg. is referred to as the General Court.

That was an oversight by me, thanks for catching it!

[S019]

With no objections, gracile's amendment is adopted

[S019]

With no objections, my amendment is adopted

[Lumine]

I just had a final doubt regarding the wording:

Gubernatorial elections and elections for state legislature shall occur every six months. The mayoral election for New York shall also occur every six months.

Could this be misintrepreted to mean elections are held regionwide every six months? Or would it be clear that it's meant to have each state having six month terms but open to different election dates?

[S019]

Lincoln Downballot Elections Act

I. Elections

a. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in May in the following states: New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Illinois, mayoral elections for the city of New York shall also be held with these states
b. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in June in the following states: Wisconsin and Michigan
c. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in July in the following states: New York and Massachusetts
d. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in August in the following states: New Jersey and Vermont
e. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in September in the following states: Maine and Pennsylvania
f. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in October in the following states: Connecticut and Ohio
g. This sequence shall restart after elections in Connecticut and Ohio Gubernatorial elections and elections for state legislature shall occur every six months. The mayoral election for New York shall also occur every six months. Gubernatorial elections will not occur at the exact same time in every state.

II. Composition

a. Each of these states shall have a bicameral legislature
b. House and Senate districts are not nested unless stated otherwise, also each House and Senate seat must have equal population to other House and Senate seats
c. The number of legislators per state shall be as follows:
i.Wisconsin: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
ii. Illinois: 59 members of the State Senate and 188 118 members of the State House of Representatives
              a. 2 voting districts for the House must be nested into each Senate district
iii. Michigan: 38 members of the State Senate and 110 members of the State House of Representatives
iv. Indiana: 50 members of the State Senate and 100 members of the State House of Representatives
v. Ohio: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. 3 voting districts for House must be nested into each Senate seat
vi. Pennsylvania: 50 members of the State Senate and 203 members of the State House of Representatives
vii. New Jersey: 40 members of the State Senate and 80 members of the State House of Representatives General Assembly
            a. Each Senate district shall elect two representatives, in other words House and Senate districts have the exact same lines
viii. New York: 150 members of the State Senate and 63 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. nesting not required, however nesting districts is preferred, if possible
ix. Connecticut: 36 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
x. Rhode Island: 38 members of the State Senate and 75 members of the State House of Representatives
xi. Massachusetts: 40 members of the State Senate and 160 members of the State House of Representatives
xii. Vermont: 30 members of the State Senate and 150 members of the State House of Representatives
xiii. New Hampshire: 24 members of the State Senate and 400 members of the State House of Representatives
xix. Maine: 35 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. three additional non-voting seats in the House of Representatives must be set aside for members of the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Houlton Band of Maliseets.
xx. All elections for State Senate shall be conducted by ranked choice voting. All elections for House of Representatives, except in New Jersey shall be conducted by ranked choice voting
xxi. Elections for the State House of Representatives General Assembly in New Jersey shall occur based on a first-past-the-post voting system.

III. Redistricting


1. Redistricting shall consist of a commission of the majority and minority leader of both houses of the state legislature, as well as 5 citizens, and 2 legislators from the minority party in the State House of Representatives
2. The commission must create a map that prioritizes one of these two goals: maximizing the competitiveness of districts or drawing districts proportional to partisanship
3. In areas where there is a high minority population, and it is possible to draw a seat where the voting age population of a minority coalition is greater than 50%, or where the voting age population of a specific minority group (i.e. African Americans or Latinos) that seat must be drawn by the commission.
4. In areas where it is possible to draw a seat as described in Section 3, Clause 1, but with a minority coalition or individual minority group population of above 40% of the voting age population, it is recommended that the commission draw that seat
5. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 3 shall be known as Voting Rights Act seat (if it is a majority of a single minority) or a Minority Coalition seat (if they seat is formed by a majority of multiple minority groups)
6. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 4 shall be known as Opportunity Seats
7. Redistricting shall occur every two years on this calendar (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027, etc.)

IV. Implementation

1. This act shall take effect two weeks after being signed into law

Another amendment, hope that this satisfies concerns, 24 hours to object

[S019]

With no objections, my amendment is adopted


Anymore objections or concerns?

[S019]

Lincoln Downballot Elections Act

I. Elections

a. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in May in the following states: New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Illinois, mayoral elections for the city of New York shall also be held with these states
b. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in June in the following states: Wisconsin and Michigan
c. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in July in the following states: New York and Massachusetts
d. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in August in the following states: New Jersey and Vermont
e. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in September in the following states: Maine and Pennsylvania
f. The first elections for state legislature and governor will be held in October in the following states: Connecticut and Ohio
g. This sequence shall restart after elections in Connecticut and Ohio Gubernatorial elections and elections for state legislature shall occur every six months. The mayoral election for New York shall also occur every six months. Gubernatorial elections will not occur at the exact same time in every state.

II. Composition

a. Each of these states shall have a bicameral legislature
b. House and Senate districts are not nested unless stated otherwise, also each House and Senate seat must have equal population to other House and Senate seats
c. The number of legislators per state shall be as follows:
i.Wisconsin: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
ii. Illinois: 59 members of the State Senate and 188 118 members of the State House of Representatives
              a. 2 voting districts for the House must be nested into each Senate district
iii. Michigan: 38 members of the State Senate and 110 members of the State House of Representatives
iv. Indiana: 50 members of the State Senate and 100 members of the State House of Representatives
v. Ohio: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. 3 voting districts for House must be nested into each Senate seat
vi. Pennsylvania: 50 members of the State Senate and 203 members of the State House of Representatives
vii. New Jersey: 40 members of the State Senate and 80 members of the State House of Representatives General Assembly
            a. Each Senate district shall elect two representatives, in other words House and Senate districts have the exact same lines
viii. New York: 150 members of the State Senate and 63 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. nesting not required, however nesting districts is preferred, if possible
ix. Connecticut: 36 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
x. Rhode Island: 38 members of the State Senate and 75 members of the State House of Representatives
xi. Massachusetts: 40 members of the State Senate and 160 members of the State House of Representatives
xii. Vermont: 30 members of the State Senate and 150 members of the State House of Representatives
xiii. New Hampshire: 24 members of the State Senate and 400 members of the State House of Representatives
xix. Maine: 35 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. three additional non-voting seats in the House of Representatives must be set aside for members of the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Houlton Band of Maliseets.
xx. Virgin Islands: 15 members of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands
xx. xxi. All elections for State Senate shall be conducted by ranked choice voting. All elections for House of Representatives, except in New Jersey shall be conducted by ranked choice voting
xxi. xxii. Elections for the State House of Representatives General Assembly in New Jersey shall occur based on a first-past-the-post voting system.

III. Redistricting


1. Redistricting shall consist of a commission of the majority and minority leader of both houses of the state legislature, as well as 5 citizens, and 2 legislators from the minority party in the State House of Representatives
2. The commission must create a map that prioritizes one of these two goals: maximizing the competitiveness of districts or drawing districts proportional to partisanship
3. In areas where there is a high minority population, and it is possible to draw a seat where the voting age population of a minority coalition is greater than 50%, or where the voting age population of a specific minority group (i.e. African Americans or Latinos) that seat must be drawn by the commission.
4. In areas where it is possible to draw a seat as described in Section 3, Clause 1, but with a minority coalition or individual minority group population of above 40% of the voting age population, it is recommended that the commission draw that seat
5. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 3 shall be known as Voting Rights Act seat (if it is a majority of a single minority) or a Minority Coalition seat (if they seat is formed by a majority of multiple minority groups)
6. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 4 shall be known as Opportunity Seats
7. Redistricting shall occur every two years on this calendar (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027, etc.)

IV. Implementation

1. This act shall take effect two weeks after being signed into law

Yet another amendment, this one to include the Virgin Islands, as I was informed that the GM Team intends to use them

[S019]

This amendment is adopted, with no objections, also any more debate here, we seem close to a final product, and it would be nice to vote on this before next week.

[S019]

Anything to add to this?

[Lambsbread]

Anything to add to this?

If no other additions, then I motion for a final vote.

[CookieDamage]

Anything to add to this?

If no other additions, then I motion for a final vote.

Seconded

[S019]

Vote is open and shall remain open for 48 hours, please vote AYE, NAY or ABSTAIN


AYE

[Gracile]

Aye

[CookieDamage]

Aye

[Lambsbread]

Aye

[S019]

Vote closed, this passes by a vote of 4-0-0-0


AYE: S019, gracile, cookiedamage, 20RP12
NAY:
ABSTAIN:
NOT VOTING:

X Speaker S019

Lincoln Downballot Elections Act

I. Elections

a. Gubernatorial elections and elections for state legislature shall occur every six months. The mayoral election for New York shall also occur every six months. Gubernatorial elections will not occur at the exact same time in every state.

II. Composition

a. Each of these states shall have a bicameral legislature
b. House and Senate districts are not nested unless stated otherwise, also each House and Senate seat must have equal population to other House and Senate seats
c. The number of legislators per state shall be as follows:
i.Wisconsin: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
ii. Illinois: 59 members of the State Senate and 118 members of the State House of Representatives
              a. 2 voting districts for the House must be nested into each Senate district
iii. Michigan: 38 members of the State Senate and 110 members of the State House of Representatives
iv. Indiana: 50 members of the State Senate and 100 members of the State House of Representatives
v. Ohio: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. 3 voting districts for House must be nested into each Senate seat
vi. Pennsylvania: 50 members of the State Senate and 203 members of the State House of Representatives
vii. New Jersey: 40 members of the State Senate and 80 members of the General Assembly
            a. Each Senate district shall elect two representatives, in other words House and Senate districts have the exact same lines
viii. New York: 150 members of the State Senate and 63 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. nesting not required, however nesting districts is preferred, if possible
ix. Connecticut: 36 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
x. Rhode Island: 38 members of the State Senate and 75 members of the State House of Representatives
xi. Massachusetts: 40 members of the State Senate and 160 members of the State House of Representatives
xii. Vermont: 30 members of the State Senate and 150 members of the State House of Representatives
xiii. New Hampshire: 24 members of the State Senate and 400 members of the State House of Representatives
xix. Maine: 35 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. three additional non-voting seats in the House of Representatives must be set aside for members of the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Houlton Band of Maliseets.
xx. Virgin Islands: 15 members of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands
xxi. All elections for State Senate shall be conducted by ranked choice voting. All elections for House of Representatives, except in New Jersey shall be conducted by ranked choice voting
xxii. Elections for the General Assembly in New Jersey shall occur based on a first-past-the-post voting system.

III. Redistricting


1. Redistricting shall consist of a commission of the majority and minority leader of both houses of the state legislature, as well as 5 citizens, and 2 legislators from the minority party in the State House of Representatives
2. The commission must create a map that prioritizes one of these two goals: maximizing the competitiveness of districts or drawing districts proportional to partisanship
3. In areas where there is a high minority population, and it is possible to draw a seat where the voting age population of a minority coalition is greater than 50%, or where the voting age population of a specific minority group (i.e. African Americans or Latinos) that seat must be drawn by the commission.
4. In areas where it is possible to draw a seat as described in Section 3, Clause 1, but with a minority coalition or individual minority group population of above 40% of the voting age population, it is recommended that the commission draw that seat
5. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 3 shall be known as Voting Rights Act seat (if it is a majority of a single minority) or a Minority Coalition seat (if they seat is formed by a majority of multiple minority groups)
6. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 4 shall be known as Opportunity Seats
7. Redistricting shall occur every two years on this calendar (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027, etc.)

IV. Implementation

1. This act shall take effect two weeks after being signed into law

[Sestak]

REDRAFT:

Standardized section numbering, added reference to Chicago, gave VI a Lower house, added flexibility for Lumine to change states’ election systems.

Lincoln Downballot Elections Act

I. Elections

a1. Gubernatorial elections and elections for state legislature shall occur every six months. The mayoral elections for New York City and Chicago shall also occur every six months. Gubernatorial elections will not occur at the exact same time in every state.

II. Composition

a1. Each of these states shall have a bicameral legislature
b2. House and Senate districts are not required to be nested unless stated otherwise, also each House and Senate seat must have equal population to other House and Senate seats
c3. The number of legislators per state shall be as follows:
i.Wisconsin: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
ii. Illinois: 59 members of the State Senate and 118 members of the State House of Representatives
              a. 2 voting districts for the House must be nested into each Senate district
iii. Michigan: 38 members of the State Senate and 110 members of the State House of Representatives
iv. Indiana: 50 members of the State Senate and 100 members of the State House of Representatives
v. Ohio: 33 members of the State Senate and 99 members of the State House of Representatives
            a. 3 voting districts for House must be nested into each Senate seat
vi. Pennsylvania: 50 members of the State Senate and 203 members of the State House of Representatives
vii. New Jersey: 40 members of the State Senate and 80 members of the General Assembly
            a. Each Senate district shall elect two representatives, in other words House and Senate districts have the exact same lines
viii. New York: 150 members of the State Senate and 63 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. nesting not required, however nesting districts is preferred, if possible
ix. Connecticut: 36 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
x. Rhode Island: 38 members of the State Senate and 75 members of the State House of Representatives
xi. Massachusetts: 40 members of the State Senate and 160 members of the State House of Representatives
xii. Vermont: 30 members of the State Senate and 150 members of the State House of Representatives
xiii. New Hampshire: 24 members of the State Senate and 400 members of the State House of Representatives
xix. Maine: 35 members of the State Senate and 151 members of the State House of Representatives
             a. three additional non-voting seats in the House of Representatives must be set aside for members of the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Houlton Band of Maliseets.
xx. Virgin Islands: 15 members of the upper house of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands and 25 members of the lower house
xxi. All elections for State Senate shall be conducted by ranked choice voting. All elections for House of Representatives, except in New Jersey shall be conducted by ranked choice voting
xxii. Elections for the General Assembly in New Jersey shall occur based on a first-past-the-post voting system.
4. All states shall have their “default” systems for electing the lower houses of their legislature as elections by instant runoff voting for single-member district constituencies; excepting New Jersey, whose default system shall be the election of two members in each upper house district by two separate instant runoff elections. Each state may additionally choose to adopt one of the following alternative systems:
i. Proportional list representation with no districts
ii. Mixed-Member Proportional system
iii. Elections to multi-member districts via Single Transferable Vote; each district electing 3 or more members.
States that choose to adopt such a system shall adjust their districts and nesting requirements accordingly. Such adoption may be simulated by the GM, including adoption by a state prior to the passage of this bill.
5. All upper houses of state legislatures must be elected by Instant Runoff Vote in single-member districts.
6. States shall have the option to switch to a parliamentary system, mirroring Lincoln’s own system; in such a system the Governor’s role would become more procedural and facilitators while the head of government would be selected by the governor and required to command confidence of a majority of the lower house. Adoption of such a system may be simulated by the GM, including adoption by a state prior to the passage of this bill.


III. Redistricting


1. Redistricting shall consist of a commission of the majority and minority leader of both houses of the state legislature, as well as 5 citizens, and 2 legislators from the minority party in the State House of Representatives
2. The commission must create a map that prioritizes one of these two goals: maximizing the competitiveness of districts or drawing districts proportional to partisanship
3. In areas where there is a high minority population, and it is possible to draw a seat where the voting age population of a minority coalition is greater than 50%, or where the voting age population of a specific minority group (i.e. African Americans or Latinos) that seat must be drawn by the commission.
4. In areas where it is possible to draw a seat as described in Section 3, Clause 1, but with a minority coalition or individual minority group population of above 40% of the voting age population, it is recommended that the commission draw that seat
5. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 3 shall be known as Voting Rights Act seat (if it is a majority of a single minority) or a Minority Coalition seat (if they seat is formed by a majority of multiple minority groups)
6. For the purposes, of this act, the seats in Section 4 shall be known as Opportunity Seats
7. Redistricting shall occur every two years on this calendar (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027, etc.) as well as when necessitated by an election system change.

IV. Implementation

1. This act shall take effect two weeks after being signed into law