SR 113-20: Atlasian Referendum Amendment (Passed)

[Mr. Reactionary]

Senate Resolution

To amend the Constitution to allow national referendums on issues facing Atlasia and for the will of the people to decide certain policy.

Be It Resolved in the Atlasian Senate Assembled, that upon ratification by 2/3rds of the Regions, the Constitution shall be amended as follows:

Atlasian Referendum Amendment

The following Section is to be incorporated under Article IX of the Fifth Constitution:

Section 2. National Referendums

1. Certain legislation may be subject to the full authority of the eligible voting populace through federally sanctioned referendums.

2. Federal referendums are to be sanctioned under any of the following methods:

a.) Citizens may submit legislation under the Senate Legislation Introduction Thread with the expressed intent that it be reviewed as a potential referendum. Upon its ascension to the Senate for consideration, voting members must provide at least two-thirds approval for the motion to proceed.

b.) Upon the veto of a bill by the President of the Republic of Atlasia, the Senate has the right to request that the legislation be forwarded to the Atlasian populace in lieu of a veto override. Voting members must provide at least two-thirds approval for the motion to proceed. Once the motion to consider a referendum moves to a vote, a veto override on the particular legislation is no longer possible.

c.) The President of the Republic of Atlasia, in lieu of a declaration in favor or in opposition, may instead defer any passed legislation to the Atlasian people's judgment at personal discretion.

3. Upon the approval of a national vote, the Secretary of Federal Elections is to sponsor and certify said event. A minimum of one week for a campaign period is required to be allotted prior to the referendum. The duration of referendums are not to exceed 72 hours and may be held in concurrence with other, regularly scheduled federal elections.

4. Referendums are to be considered as passed should they receive a majority of votes in favor. Implementation is to occur immediately following certification unless otherwise noted in the text.

This Constitutional Amendment creates the right for nationally held referendums, sponsored by the Department of Federal Elections, to take place. Citizens are able to submit legislation as potential referenda, and the Senate will vote on whether to move forward with holding one. A referendum can also be approved by the Senate for a President-vetoed bill, or the President can approve a bill for a referendum instead of signing or vetoing the legislation.

Sponsor: Spiral
Debate on this resolution is now open.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Its back.

This is an amendment to the Constitution to permit national referendums in certain matters. Im sure the sponsor can elaborate more.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I am willing to give this a shot, that's why I voted for it before.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

I suppose the main goal here is just getting everyone to show up for this amendment. It seems to have a reasonable process.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I suppose the main goal here is just getting everyone to show up for this amendment. It seems to have a reasonable process.

If that isn't itself an advocacy for the underlying goal of the amendment itself, I am not sure what could be. Some flexibility and experimentation is in order to try and boost engagement, and this doesn't offend my sensibilities regarding known constitutional limitations and balances, hence my support.

[PPT Spiral]

To kickstart debate here, these were my original comments when I first proposed the amendment:

This amendment has been introduced with the high hopes that it will serve as a catalyst for reinvigorating public debate and general interest in Atlasia. I am a strong believer in the principle of direct democracy. Our citizens have a right to make their ideas and influence put on the record. This is especially valuable in instances when elected officials fail them, whether through dereliction of duty, corruption, or other negative externalities. In recent times, we have seen a waning of in-game participation. You can look to our latest at-large election as one example of a drop in interest, or the more prevalent absentee votes recorded in nearly every Senate roll call lately.

By providing the option to host binding national referendums, it puts everybody's skin in the game on certain issues in contrast to a more distant feeling when confined to whomever currently occupies our elected seats. This amendment would ideally serve to route some of our most controversial contemporary issues and let the public decide after debates are aired out. A greater degree of legitimacy could also be granted for any outcome knowing that it is backed by at least a majority of the populace and not just by how many Senators decide to vote on time. There is much to appreciate about the Swiss model in my opinion when it comes to their flexibility on how public policy can originate.

I have drafted the amendment to allow multiple avenues for a referendum to potentially take place. The Senate would have the power to assess whether a citizen's proposal bears legitimacy to undergo a national vote. A vote to approve the legislation for a referendum would not be a vote on whether members necessarily agree with it, as conventional voting on bills is like; this would ideally be based on whether the proposal is serious enough on merit to have such a referendum take place. In cases when the President vetoes a Senate-passed bill, the divided verdict between the branches could warrant the Senate to bring it nationwide as well. For an additional, interesting curveball, I also believe there is value in the President having great discretion in introducing referendums as well.

With all of this said, my intention has been to introduce a new aspect of the game that could engage more players while placing enough controls in the process to avoid countless, frivolous referendums from taking place. I truly hope that this can earn your consideration and support.

[Mr. Reactionary]

I move for a final vote. 24 hours to object.

[Mr. Reactionary]

A final vote is now open on this resolution until midnight eastern on Tuesday. Please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain.

Senate Resolution

To amend the Constitution to allow national referendums on issues facing Atlasia and for the will of the people to decide certain policy.

Be It Resolved in the Atlasian Senate Assembled, that upon ratification by 2/3rds of the Regions, the Constitution shall be amended as follows:

Atlasian Referendum Amendment

The following Section is to be incorporated under Article IX of the Fifth Constitution:

Section 2. National Referendums

1. Certain legislation may be subject to the full authority of the eligible voting populace through federally sanctioned referendums.

2. Federal referendums are to be sanctioned under any of the following methods:

a.) Citizens may submit legislation under the Senate Legislation Introduction Thread with the expressed intent that it be reviewed as a potential referendum. Upon its ascension to the Senate for consideration, voting members must provide at least two-thirds approval for the motion to proceed.

b.) Upon the veto of a bill by the President of the Republic of Atlasia, the Senate has the right to request that the legislation be forwarded to the Atlasian populace in lieu of a veto override. Voting members must provide at least two-thirds approval for the motion to proceed. Once the motion to consider a referendum moves to a vote, a veto override on the particular legislation is no longer possible.

c.) The President of the Republic of Atlasia, in lieu of a declaration in favor or in opposition, may instead defer any passed legislation to the Atlasian people's judgment at personal discretion.

3. Upon the approval of a national vote, the Secretary of Federal Elections is to sponsor and certify said event. A minimum of one week for a campaign period is required to be allotted prior to the referendum. The duration of referendums are not to exceed 72 hours and may be held in concurrence with other, regularly scheduled federal elections.

4. Referendums are to be considered as passed should they receive a majority of votes in favor. Implementation is to occur immediately following certification unless otherwise noted in the text.

This Constitutional Amendment creates the right for nationally held referendums, sponsored by the Department of Federal Elections, to take place. Citizens are able to submit legislation as potential referenda, and the Senate will vote on whether to move forward with holding one. A referendum can also be approved by the Senate for a President-vetoed bill, or the President can approve a bill for a referendum instead of signing or vetoing the legislation.

[Liminal Trans Girl]

Aye

[Mr. Reactionary]

Aye

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Aye

[Saint Milei]

Aye

[Utah Neolib]

Nay

[Enduro]

Aye

[PPT Spiral]

Aye

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

Abstain

[West_Midlander]

present

[PragmaticPopulist]

Aye

[OSR stands with Israel]

Aye

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Aye

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Aye

[SevenEleven]

Nay.

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Abstain

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

Aye

[West_Midlander]

Switching to Aye