NE1: Amendment to the SOAP [Tabled]

[Simfan34]

Amendment to the SOAP

The following text will be appended after Section 3, Subsection E:

E1. A Representative who anticipates his or her absence for the duration of the voting period for a bill may designate another Representative as his or her proxy in that bill's thread. A Representative may serve as a proxy for no more than one other Representative on any vote.

Sponsor: Gov. Averroes Nix
Debate time: 72 hours
Debate ends: 4:00 pm, Tues. 10 July

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Hmm... I don't entirely agree with this idea.  Wouldn't allowing proxy votes temporarily give one Representative more voting influence than the other members, and thus cause an imbalance in the power shared here?

[Simfan34]

I'm strongly opposed to this proposal. We elect members of the assembly to represent us, and to delegate that right to others represents a lack understanding of that fact. If you feel that you can't make that commitment, don't run. If you think that the voting period is too short, we can amend the SOAP to allow for extensions.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

On an unrelated note, has the new SOAP been added to the wiki yet?  The only article I see regarding the bill hasn't had an update since August 2011.

[Lincoln Republican]

I have some very fundamental problems with this proposed bill.

I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Scott and Representative Simfan.

I do not believe in proxy voting in a legislative body.  Nor do I believe the democratic process of voting on a bill should be held up unreasonably because one or more members are unable to make a vote.

If we can come to some kind of agreement as to the maximum length of time to be allowed for voting on a bill, this would be a better approach in my view.  That way, all members, including those who anticipate an absence, will know their time frame.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Would this be a workable solution, instead?

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[Simfan34]

I was reading the the SOAP on the wiki and it simply specified that the limit was 24 hours, in my interpretation providing neither for abbreviation nor extension.

If my reading is too strict, do tell. I would then propose that this bill be tabled. If not, I would support Scott's proposal.

[Lincoln Republican]

It would be if the SOAP placed a limit on how long voting can be extended. IIRC, it does not.

Then it should.

[Simfan34]

This is from the new SOAP, yes? Didn't see that.

In that case, I think this should be tabled.

[Simfan34]

I.. declare this tabled?