HB 1163: Act to establish a 72-hour Window... (Passed)

[Associate Justice PiT]

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2. Section 6 of the Federal Electoral Act is hereby stricken from the law, and the remaining sections of the law renumbered accordingly.[/quote]

People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0 in the Atlasian Senate assembled
Be it resolved, X President pro tempore
[/quote]

Sponsor: NEEDED

     I hereby open the floor for debate.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Since nobody else will sponsor this, I guess I will.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

I can support it.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Representatives have 24 hours to object to Representative Truman assuming sponsorship.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     With no objections, Representative Truman is now the sponsor. Truman, please make a post arguing in favor of the bill.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I've made no secret of my distaste for the FEA, but I won't rehash those complaints here. From a limited perspective of reforming elections of the House of Representatives, there are two principle reasons for moving the deadline for declarations of candidacy from 24 hours before the election to 72.

First, an earlier deadline makes it possible for citizens who are unable to vote on election weekend to be represented by casting an absentee ballot. This is currently next to impossible, because the SoFE cannot legally distribute ballots until after the deadline has passed, meaning that citizens looking to vote absentee would have to request, receive, and cast their ballot on the Thursday before the election. By moving the deadline to an earlier date, we better accommodate for the needs of all citizens and allow for maximum representation in the democratic process.

Second, an earlier deadline will require a minimum degree of forethought and decisiveness of candidates for the House. When a candidate can enter the race literally the day before the election and be listed on the ballot, it encourages candidates to treat congressional elections with a flippancy that is unbecoming to this changer and unconducive to the health of our democracy. By establishing a deadline of 72 hours before the election for declarations of candidacy, we ensure that the names appearing on the ballot were put there as the result of an (at least somewhat) thoughtful decision by a candidate with a real investment in the game, instead of someone jumping into the race at the last minute and winning election based on fame or friendships alone.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I've made no secret of my distaste for the FEA, but I won't rehash those complaints here. From a limited perspective of reforming elections of the House of Representatives, there are two principle reasons for moving the deadline for declarations of candidacy from 24 hours before the election to 72.

First, an earlier deadline makes it possible for citizens who are unable to vote on election weekend to be represented by casting an absentee ballot. This is currently next to impossible, because the SoFE cannot legally distribute ballots until after the deadline has passed, meaning that citizens looking to vote absentee would have to request, receive, and cast their ballot on the Thursday before the election. By moving the deadline to an earlier date, we better accommodate for the needs of all citizens and allow for maximum representation in the democratic process.

Second, an earlier deadline will require a minimum degree of forethought and decisiveness of candidates for the House. When a candidate can enter the race literally the day before the election and be listed on the ballot, it encourages candidates to treat congressional elections with a flippancy that is unbecoming to this changer and unconducive to the health of our democracy. By establishing a deadline of 72 hours before the election for declarations of candidacy, we ensure that the names appearing on the ballot were put there as the result of an (at least somewhat) thoughtful decision by a candidate with a real investment in the game, instead of someone jumping into the race at the last minute and winning election based on fame or friendships alone.

I certainly concur on the need for House candidates to start earlier and get their view out in the open through a campaign. So I think I will indeed support this both on its own merits for the absentee process, but also for this alternative reason that you state.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

I definitely agree with Harry Truman's remarks regarding this highly necessary bill to make the election process fairer, smoother, and better.

[JGibson]

I am in agreement with establishing a 72-hour (3-day) deadline for candidate announcements.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     If there are no more comments, I can open a final vote on this in 24 hours.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I second the motion for a final vote.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

I second the motion for a final vote.

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

I second the motion for a final vote.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     The final vote is now open on this bill. Representatives have 72 hours to vote aye, nay, or abstain.

[JGibson]

AYE

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

AYE!

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

AYE

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

Aye

[Illiniwek]

Aye

[Associate Justice PiT]

     This bill has enough votes to pass. Representatives have 24 hours to change their votes.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Aye

[VPH]

Aye

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

AYE!

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I just realized I may have made an error when I wrote this bill months ago.  The bill that is about to pass deletes section 6 of the FEA, and unless there's another law on the books that pertains to absentee voting, this would take away that option entirely.  There was likely a practical reason I had for doing this, but I honestly can't remember what it was.

I might ask the President to veto the current bill and send Congress a redraft that doesn't have subsection 2.  And now clearly I have some egg to wipe off my face...

[Associate Justice PiT]

     This bill has passed Congress and is presented to the President for her signature (I will also present Senator Scott's advice):

You must be logged in to read this quote.

2. Section 6 of the Federal Electoral Act is hereby stricken from the law, and the remaining sections of the law renumbered accordingly.[/quote]

People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0 in the Atlasian Senate assembled
Be it resolved, X President pro tempore

Atlasian People's House of Representatives
Passed 8-1 in the Atlasian House Assembled,

[/quote]

President of Congress
Be it resolved, X Vice President PiT
[/quote]