The Combined Home State Voting Reform Amendment

[JohnFKennedy]

Ok Folks, to make things a bit simpler, I have combined the Beet Voting Reform Act (Amendment) with the Home State Bill. This should make clearing the backlog of Bills quicker.

So, here is the Amendment:


1. All federal weekend elections will take place over the course of 72 hours encompassing the entirety of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Forum Time.

2. If any voter will be unable to vote in a federal election during the time alotted, he or she may request to advance vote at any time between the end of the filing deadline for candidates and the beginning of the election. During this time there will be a specified, sticky thread set up for the purpose of informing forum citizens of their right to advance vote, and advance voting will also take place in this thread.

3. Provisions 1 and 2 apply to all Federal Elections taking place forthwith.

4. A registered voter may not change his or her state of residence more frequently than once in a four month period.


Now, lets get some debate going and I shall call a vote upon this combined amendment beginning some time next Friday. Hopefully around 12pm EST.

[7,052,770]

sounds good

[JohnFKennedy]

Well. I guess I shall open the debate.

(JFK takes the Senate floor)

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I come here before you to tell you why I believe that you should vote in favour of The Combined Home State Voting Reform Amendment.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this bill, along with its three clauses grants several important reforms to the way we run elections here and I would just like to outline to you four reasons why you should vote in favour of this bill.

Ladies and Gentlemen, My four reasons are as follows:

In my first point I shall explore the Turnout Effect which ties in with the first and second clauses of this amendment.

Once I have discussed the Turnout Effect I shall move onto the Improved Representation that this amendment provides which relates mainly to the first two clauses of this amendment.

In my third point, Ladies and Gentlemen, I shall explore for you why this amendment can help prevent Voter Fraud which ties in nicely in a bundle with the fourth clause of this amendment.

And finally Ladies and Gentlemen, I will explain to you what effect this has on the Regional Rights.

So Ladies and Gentlemen, to start with I would like to examine the provisions of the Turnout Effect which this amendment will create in all federal elections. Well, for this point we really need to pay close attention to the first two clauses of the amendment. So what, you ask, is this turnout effect? This turnout effect is an increase in voters by giving the voters a bigger chance to vote. How does it create this? Well, this amendment gives people a greater chance to vote, not only by including absentee voting but by lengthening the polls by twenty-four hours. By doing this, this amendment allows people a greater window in which they may vote, as, it is possible that they will not be present over the weekend.

The conclusion of my first point leads on perfectly into my second point which regards the Improved Representation that this amendment creates.

So, what do I mean? Well, what I mean is that this will improve the representation of the public in federal positions. How does it do this? Well ladies and gentlemen, increased voter turnout leads to a better representation of public opinion as it increases the percentage of the population who come out and vote.

Increased turnout is better for elections ladies and gentlemen, as I have said, it increases the representation which the election supplies and makes elections more interesting.

So, on to my third point ladies and gentlemen regarding voter fraud which ties in strongly with the fourth clause in this amendment.

Well, how does this decrease voter fraud ladies and gentlemen? This amendment will prevent the situation of people changing states to get a friend elected before changing back immediately after the election. A serious problem ladies and gentlemen as this can skew the results of elections and creates unfair results. This sort of thing must be prevented at all costs. People constantly changing states is a threat to this democracy, not only that, but it also creates a lot of errors in voter records if everyone changes their state every few days. This sort amendment, is necessary, not only for a decrease in voter fraud, but also, to save the mental health of those poor poor people who store the voter records.

So ladies and gentlemen, on to my fourth and final point regarding Regional Rights, an issue close to the hearts of many, especially my fellow Senator StatesRights who supports the rights of individual states and regions strongly.

So, what about Regional Rights is included in this amendment? Well, clause three states that the first two provisions only apply to FEDERAL elections meaning that this amendment does NOT infringe upon the individual rights of the regions to conduct their elections in any way they wish. This is very important as it allows the regions their autonomy while allowing the Federal government to improve the way that its own elections are administered.

So ladies and gentlemen, what have I told you today?

Well, firstly I told you how this amendment will improve voter turnout making a more democratic society and invariably leading onto my second point about the improved representation of public opinion this amendment allows. For my third point I told you why this bill is necessary to prevent voter fraud and preserve the mental health of record keepers before finally moving on to explain why this amendment does not impinge upon the rights of individual regions.

It is for these four reasons ladies and gentlemen, that I beg to move.

[Nation]

I will post a response to some of Mr. Kennedy's comments in the next 24 hours or so.

[StevenNick]

This bill contains one very large contradiction.  How can "advance" public voting be established in the same bill that limits voting time to a 72 hour period between Friday and Sunday?

[© tweed]

You can't tell us when to vote

[King]

Who will give/submit/track absentee ballots?

If the Senate does, what if they don't submit some absentees to keep their seat? Same with Governor and President.

I suggest that all constitutional barriers for Elections be lifted and an independent Atlas Election Commission be formed. Its members should be elected by the people and their term shall extend until they feel the need to resign.

King for Senate.

[Beet]

This bill contains one very large contradiction.  How can "advance" public voting be established in the same bill that limits voting time to a 72 hour period between Friday and Sunday?

Stevennick, there are clearly TWO things going on in first two clauses of the amendment. One thing, extends the public voting time to 72 hours. This will have the Turnout Effect and Improved Representation. The separate thing is designed to deal specifically with this:

I will be gone to Toronto from July 8 to July 13.  I doubt I'll be able to post anything here while I'm there.
See yall when I get back

Now what if we were having an election this weekend? Under the current system Harry would not be able to vote even though he is one of the most active members of the forum. Our whole fantasy is built around the ability to vote. It would be too mean to force Harry to cancel his plans for the forum, or vice versa.

[StevenNick]

I know what the bill is meant to deal with.  I am simply trying to point out that there is no point in having limits on the amount of time in which citizens are allowed to vote if there is going to be a stickied thread in which citizens are going to be allowed to vote in advance of the official voting.  This is of course creates a confusing and chaotic dynamic in which the constitutional regulations on elections become completely meaningless.

[Beet]

I know what the bill is meant to deal with.  I am simply trying to point out that there is no point in having limits on the amount of time in which citizens are allowed to vote if there is going to be a stickied thread in which citizens are going to be allowed to vote in advance of the official voting.  This is of course creates a confusing and chaotic dynamic in which the constitutional regulations on elections become completely meaningless.

According to this reasoning, everyone will lie and say that they are going on a trip over the weekend, they wont be able to access their computer, and sacrifice the right to discuss the election in the official 72 hour period, just for a chance at an early vote. That kind of action, even if undertaken, would have no more effect than an endorsement. If it is a concern however, it would be simple to add a clause requiring early voters to declare their intent before the filing deadline, or even earlier.

[StevenNick]

I will only accept absentee voting if there is a way to keep such votes private until the beginning of the official voting period.

[JohnFKennedy]

I will only accept absentee voting if there is a way to keep such votes private until the beginning of the official voting period.

We could do them by e-mail.

We could have something like a three person committee, one person from each of the major parties/areas of fantasy politics so one from the left from either the UL, AFIP or any of the other left wing parties, one from the UAC and one from the Republicans.

The e-mail would need to be sent to all three. That way we can prevent voter fraud as if someone tries to ignore a vote, there are still another two who received the vote.

[StevenNick]

I will only accept absentee voting if there is a way to keep such votes private until the beginning of the official voting period.

We could do them by e-mail.

We could have something like a three person committee, one person from each of the major parties/areas of fantasy politics so one from the left from either the UL, AFIP or any of the other left wing parties, one from the UAC and one from the Republicans.

The e-mail would need to be sent to all three. That way we can prevent voter fraud as if someone tries to ignore a vote, there are still another two who received the vote.

That could work.

[JohnFKennedy]

I will only accept absentee voting if there is a way to keep such votes private until the beginning of the official voting period.

We could do them by e-mail.

We could have something like a three person committee, one person from each of the major parties/areas of fantasy politics so one from the left from either the UL, AFIP or any of the other left wing parties, one from the UAC and one from the Republicans.

The e-mail would need to be sent to all three. That way we can prevent voter fraud as if someone tries to ignore a vote, there are still another two who received the vote.

That could work.

OK then. I would like to propose an amendment to the second clause of this Constitutional Amendment to read:


2. If any voter will be unable to vote in a federal election during the time alotted, he or she may request to advance vote at any time between the end of the filing deadline for candidates and the beginning of the election. During this time those wishing to vote absentee must send an e-mail ballot made by the Secretary of Forum Affairs to three people as part of a panel. The three must be from different parties.

Do you think we need to add in something about having to register specially to vote absentee?

[StevenNick]

Perhaps instead of a new panel of three, we could simply have the ballots be sent to people who occupy an already established position in forum government.  Cabinet members perhaps.  PPT maybe.  Governors could also be in charge of this duty.  I guess it doesn't much matter just so long as three seperate individuals get the e-mailed ballots.

[JohnFKennedy]

Perhaps instead of a new panel of three, we could simply have the ballots be sent to people who occupy an already established position in forum government.  Cabinet members perhaps.  PPT maybe.  Governors could also be in charge of this duty.  I guess it doesn't much matter just so long as three seperate individuals get the e-mailed ballots.

Yes, I strongly advise that they be from three separate parties as well to promote partisan fairness.

[Beet]

Perhaps instead of a new panel of three, we could simply have the ballots be sent to people who occupy an already established position in forum government.  Cabinet members perhaps.  PPT maybe.  Governors could also be in charge of this duty.  I guess it doesn't much matter just so long as three seperate individuals get the e-mailed ballots.

Yes, I strongly advise that they be from three separate parties as well to promote partisan fairness.

If we're doing ballots then it has to be sent to people with contradicting interests.

[JohnFKennedy]

Perhaps instead of a new panel of three, we could simply have the ballots be sent to people who occupy an already established position in forum government.  Cabinet members perhaps.  PPT maybe.  Governors could also be in charge of this duty.  I guess it doesn't much matter just so long as three seperate individuals get the e-mailed ballots.

Yes, I strongly advise that they be from three separate parties as well to promote partisan fairness.

If we're doing ballots then it has to be sent to people with contradicting interests.

Yes. My point exactly, it would have to be One Republican (or alternative right wing party), one UAC'er (or alternative centrist party) and one AFIP'er (or alternative left wing party).

[JohnFKennedy]

*bump*

Lets see a bit more debate.

Lets name and shame those Senators yet to speak:

Michael Z, Hughento and StatesRights.

Any statements from any of you? Or even any of the other Senators.

[Platypus]

As I said before they were combined, I really don't have any problem with this.

I would prefer not to waste the senate's time when I have nothing to add, but as you know, when I do have issues to raise I will raise them. This bill has no issues to raise.

[StevenNick]

I suggest that if no senators have anything to add by this time tomorrow that voting on this bill be commenced.

[JohnFKennedy]

I suggest that if no senators have anything to add by this time tomorrow that voting on this bill be commenced.

I will start voting at 12pm EST on Tuesday or thereabouts.

[Gustaf]

You do realize that the chairmen could contradict each other and that it would be kind of word v word in that case?

And if 3 members of the forum, not publicly elected I note, get to see the those votes, why can't everyone?

[JohnFKennedy]

1. All federal weekend elections will take place over the course of 72 hours encompassing the entirety of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Forum Time.

2. If any voter will be unable to vote in a federal election during the time alotted, he or she may request to advance vote at any time between the end of the filing deadline for candidates and the beginning of the election. During this time there will be a specified, sticky thread set up for the purpose of informing forum citizens of their right to advance vote. Advanced voting will take place via e-mail. The e-mail vote must be sent to three designated people who must all be of different parties.

3. Provisions 1 and 2 apply to all Federal Elections taking place forthwith.

4. A registered voter may not change his or her state of residence more frequently than once in a four month period.



I have proposed the amendment emboldened above to make advanced voting less like just normal voting except early.

Let's hear what people's opinions on this are.

I will call a vote on the amendment either later today or tomorrow.

[StevenNick]

The bill still needs to stipulate either who those three people are or how those three people will be decided.