The motion for cloture has passed. Unfortunately, I can't start the final vote as I have to leave right this minute. Either Jas can start it, or I'll do it this evening.
No problem
The vote for cloture having passed, this bill has come to final vote.
Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain on the following:
Proportional Representation Bill1. Hereinafter Class B Senators shall be elected using the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (hereinafter ‘PR-STV’).
2. For the purposes of these elections the whole of Atlasia shall be treated as a single electoral constituency.
3. Sections 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14 of F.L. 14-2 Consolidated Electoral Reform Act shall also apply to PR-STV elections.
Rules on the counting of votes in PR-STV elections
4. After the close of polls, the ‘total valid poll’ shall be calculated, this being the total number of valid votes cast in the election.
5. The ‘quota’ (i.e. the number of votes required to be deemed elected) shall then be calculated as the whole number (disregarding any attached fraction) resulting from the following equation:
[Total Valid Poll/(Number of seats to be filled + 1)] + 1
6. A first count shall then be made quantifying the total number of first preferences each valid candidate did receive. Any candidates receiving more than the quota shall be deemed elected.
7. Where candidates are tied they shall be ranked by the total number of second preferences received and so on. Where this method proves indecisive and the tie must be broken to materially progress the count, a condorcet count between the tied candidates shall be decisive.
7. (a) Where candidates are tied at any stage in the count, they shall be graded according to their status on the preceding count and so on. Where candidates are tied at each such stage, they shall be graded according to their total number of second preferences.
(b) Where still tied, by a similar analysis of their third preferences and so on.
(c) Where this method proves indecisive and the tie must be broken to materially progress the count, a condorcet count between the tied candidates shall be decisive.
8. The order of priority for distribution of votes shall be as follows:
(a) candidate’s surpluses which may materially affect the progress of the count. (Where more than one such surpluses exist they shall be distributed in the order in which the candidate was deemed elected.);
(b) distribution of the votes of the candidate placed last in the last preceding count.
9. Where there exists such surpluses as that in total they could materially affect the progress of the count, but no individual surplus meets this requirement, the surpluses shall be distributed in order of magnitute even though no individual surplus may materially affect the progress of the count. The distribution of such surpluses shall continue until such time as the totality of the remaining surpluses shall not be capable of materially affecting the progress of the count.
10. A distribution shall be deemed to materially affect the progress of a count, when it is of such quantity as it would be sufficient to bring about the election of another candidate or would be sufficient to raise the lowest placed remaining candidate above the next lowest remaining candidate.
11. Where no candidate receives a number of votes equal or greater to the quota, the lowest polling candidate shall be eliminated and his votes distributed in according with his next preference for a remaining candidate. This process shall continue until such time as a count results in the election of a candidate or candidates.
12. Where an elimination is to be made, a double elimination may be made where the distribution of the lowest remaining candidate’s votes alone would not materially affect the progress of the count. Similarly, a triple elimination may be made where the distribution of the two lowest remaining candidate’s votes alone would not materially affect the progress of the count, and so on.
13. Where a surplus is to be distributed, the entirety of the votes of the elected candidate shall be transferred to the candidates still capable of election at a reduced value called the ‘transfer value’. This value is calculated by the following formula:
Number of candidate’s surplus votes/Candidate’s total votes
14. Where a candidate has a surplus to be distributed, any such votes contributing to his election which were gained at a reduced transfer value as described above in a previous count, such votes shall transfer at a re-reduced value which shall be equal to their standing transfer value multiplied by the new transfer value to be applied o all of the votes to be distributed.
15. Where an eliminated candidate’s votes are to be distributed, the votes shall not be reduced in value any further than they may have been during the process to that point.
16. Counting shall continue until such time as the number of candidates deemed elected equals the number of available seats or until such time as no further distributions which can materially affect the count exist, in which case the candidates not reaching the quota shall be deemed elected in the order in which they rank until such time as all of the available seats are filled.
17. At the discretion of the SoFA, transfer values and vote totals (where appropriate) may be rounded off to three decimal places for simplification or presentational purposes.
Vacancies
18. In the event of a vacancy arising for whatever reason, where the concerned ex-Senator is a member of a party with 4 at the time the vacancy arises, the same party shall be responsible for filling the vacancy by whatever means they deem fit.
19. The party shall have 10 days from the arising of the vacancy within which to give official notice to the Department of Forum Affairs of who they nominate to take up the vacant seat.
20. Where:
(i) the ex-Senator is not a member of a major party at the time the vacancy arises;
or (ii) the party fails to comply with section 19;
a by-election for the seat shall be held on a nationwide basis and in accordance with the terms outlined within F.L. 14-2 Consolidated Electoral Reform Act.
21. Where there exists any doubt as to party affiliation; major party status; or time of vacancy arising, it shall be the responsibility of the Department of Forum Affairs to clarify these matters upon request by any citizen.
22. Any decision of the Department under section 21 may be appealed to the Supreme Court, which may in its discretion suspend any relevant time periods applicable under this Act or under F.L. 14-2 Consolidated Electoral Reform Act until the Court reaches a decision.
Repeal of Census Legislation
23. Section 1 of F.L. 4-4 The Miscellany Act, mandating the conduct of censii, is hereby repealed.
Commencement Order
24. This Act shall not take effect until directed by an Executive Order of the President of Atlasia directing same.
