Department of Federal Elections: Homelycooking, SoFE

[Barnes]

Homely deserves all of our thanks.  I have never seen a better way to run these elections!

[Barnes]

When will the special election be held to fill the vacant at-large Senate seat?

[Barnes]

If I may make a query, how long does one have to be a citizen before one may vote in an election?

[Barnes]

If I may make a query, how long does one have to be a citizen before one may vote in an election?

One week, I believe.

Now that you say that, I believe you are right. You never quite know what might change in Atlasia.

[Barnes]

Jones is right - seven days.

Thank you.

[Barnes]

I don't think resignation would actually solve the problem. If I may make a suggestion, homely, perhaps you should author legislation to be introduced in the Senate that allows the SoFE the leeway to close the voting booth and reopen a new, corrected one so that all voters have a chance to recast their ballots? Perhaps allow you a maximum of twelve hours after the start of the election to make any change?

[Barnes]

I don't think resignation would actually solve the problem. If I may make a suggestion, homely, perhaps you should author legislation to be introduced in the Senate that allows the SoFE the leeway to close the voting booth and reopen a new, corrected one so that all voters have a chance to recast their ballots? Perhaps allow you a maximum of twelve hours after the start of the election to make any change?

There is already legislation pending in the Senate queue that would do just that, actually.

Well, you know what they say about great minds...

[Barnes]

And with that, I believe we've fixed all this.  You're not going anywhere, homely. 

[Barnes]

As a member of the Atlasian Supreme Court Bar and a former Attorney General, I would like to state my equivocal legal opinion that the President has the power to order the head of a executive department to comply with the law.  President Napoleon in no way violated any law passed by the Senate nor did he overreach his executive hand.  His order simply instructs the SoFE to prepare a proof of the forthcoming ballot for public scrutiny and review before an election takes place.  The aforementioned section of the constitution is applicable to administering the actual election - not a draft ballot that I would assume would be posted in this office and would be totally invalid to cast a vote on.

[Barnes]

Barnes, what happens if an individual declines to follow an executive order (purposefully or not)?

The executive order issued here was specifically for the SoFE, and seeing as that is a federal executive department, the President would determine the consequences (if any).

[Barnes]

Mr. Secretary, I exhort you to withhold certification until we can resolve these matters of contention. I hope you can do so, otherwise I shall file suit with the intention of having a legal mandate compelling you to do so.

In the interest of openness, I will refrain from certifying the results for another 24 hours. If you have a compelling reason why I should not certify Spamage as the winner of a seat in the Senate, state it now.

I shall have my legal team put forth a brief tomorrow.

I don't plan on getting involved in this, but the best (and only way, really) way to resolve this is in court.

[Barnes]

A quick question, Mr. Secretary: To your knowledge, does the waiting period between registration and voting apply to both regional elections as well as federal ones?

[Barnes]

A quick question, Mr. Secretary: To your knowledge, does the waiting period between registration and voting apply to both regional elections as well as federal ones?

I think I recall that the Northeast's law on election waiting periods is the same as is the Federal law, but since I have not participated in Northeast regional politics for over two years myself, I cannot give you a more authoritative opinion.

Oh that's fine. Thanks for the help.

[Barnes]

You are a wonderful public servant - your hard work does not go unnoticed! Hopefully you will still be here in 1,059 days!

Indeed, homely.  You have shown a clear and sustained dedication to helping this game function properly for three years now and I know we all appreciate the sacrifice of your time and work.

[Barnes]

Why was my write in for kaljew not counted?

The last time I had checked the Candidacy Declaration thread, I'm sure that Kalwejt had posted something like "On second thought, never mind" about accepting write-in votes. He must have deleted it. Surely I'm not losing my mind.

You're not, because I saw that post at one point as well.

As did I.

[Barnes]

There seems to be a bit of confusion over the dates of the forthcoming elections. They are scheduled for the weekend of the 23rd, correct?

[Barnes]

Excellent, thanks for the answer! I knew I wasn't that much of a troglodyte!