Post by GellMannhattan on Jan 23, 2012 14:21:45 GMT -5
Here's a slightly revised proposal with some suggestions added.
The New York Constitution
Article I: Preamble
We're the Great Empire State. Home of the city so nice, they named it twice and the ever enchanting Clinton family. Perhaps coincidentally we also have rats the size of small dogs and alligators in the sewers. Here's where the walrus died. If you're an aspiring actor, move here and Broadway will grind your bones into paste. No mimes, please. Excelsior!
Article II: Citizenship and Citizen Rights
Section 1: Citizenship within New York shall consist of all nations that reside within the region of New York as well as any other nations residing temporarily outside the region for the purpose of conducting New York business.
Section 2: Rights of New York's Citizens;
• Everyone is equal before the law. Discrimination on grounds of nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, race, sexual orientation, political or personal beliefs shall be prohibited.
• Every Citizen has the right to free speech and peaceful assembly.
• Every Citizen shall have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Region
• Every Citizen has the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the regional government and the State Assembly.
• Every Citizen has the right to the protection of personal data concerning them.
• Every Citizen has the right to have his or her affairs handled impartially, fairly and within a reasonable time by the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Region.
• Every Citizen has the right to join or establish a political party within New York.
Article III: The State Assembly
Section 1: The governing body of this region shall be the State Assembly. Regional Laws shall retain the highest authority next to the Constitution covering any subject matter not outlined in the constitution.
Section 2: A census of the nations residing in New York shall be taken on the first day of each odd numbered month for the purpose of apportioning the Assembly. There shall be 1 seat in the assembly for every 3 world assembly nations residing in New York, rounded to the nearest odd integer.
Section 3: Elections for open State Assembly seats shall occur in each odd-numbered month. Nominations shall begin at Noon, Eastern time, on the second Monday of the month and continue for exactly one week. Elections shall begin at Noon, Eastern time, on the third Monday of the month and continue for exactly one week. Voting will be conducted by approval vote where each voter votes “Yes” or “No” for each candidate. The candidates with the most yes votes will be elected, provided that the total of their yes votes exceeds the number of their “No” votes. If the number of nominees is less than or equal to the number of positions, nations will have 48 hours to register any disapproval of any nominee. If no disapprovals are registered, the slate of candidates will be declared elected.
Section 4: The State Assembly shall have the power to by a majority vote:
• Enact laws and policies for the Region
• Decide the guilt or innocence of any nation accused of behavior harmful to the region of New York.
• Eject and/or Ban Nations from the Region.
• Create and dissolve alliances and/or associations with other regions.
• Approve the construction and/or revocation of Embassies.
• Establish a Head of Assembly.
• Advise and Consent on the appointment of Executive, Ministries, and Government Officers.
Section 5: If the Assembly fails to act on any question for 60 hours, the founder shall decide the question in the name of the Region. The decision of the Founder shall have full effect and that effect shall become permanent unless it is overruled by a vote of the State Assembly within 10 days.
Section 6: If a member of the Assembly ceases to exist or moves from the region on a permanent basis, the Delegate shall act as a voting member of the Assembly until the next regularly scheduled election.
Article IV: Executive Officers
Section 1: There shall be three standing executive officers of the region: Founder, WA Delegate, and Head of Assembly. To represent the region's Creator, the people's representative, and the head of the region's elected body.
Section 2: The Founder will be the Chromodynamic Flavor of Gell-Mannhattan, who shall have primary responsibility for the administration of the region acting as Chief Administrative Officer. The founder has the right to bar the WA Delegate access to regional control if the region is threatened by a foreign force, this decision can be over turned by a majority vote of the State Assembly. The founder shall not serve as a member of the state Assembly without first assigning all rights and responsibilities of the position of founder to the WA Delegate.
Section 3: The WA Delegate will be the nation with the largest number of WA endorsements as determined by the game mechanics. The WA Delegate is to act as a representative of the people and ensure the rights of New York's citizens. The delegate shall assist the founder with the management of the Region, shall represent the region in World Assembly Votes and shall serve as a member of the Assembly in the event of a vacancy. If the WA Delegate has been delegate for over 30 days and has been a citizen of New York for over 100 days, he or she has the right to access regional controls. If the Founder ceases to exist or remains inactive for an extended period, the delegate shall also serve as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Region.
Section 4: The Head of Assembly(HoA) will be an assembly member elected by a majority State Assembly vote. He of she shall serve as a figure head of the State Assembly and as the third standing executive office. The HoA will be tasked with organizing assembly votes, keeping assembly members up to date, and ensuring the assembly functions efficiently. If the assembly is unable to elect a HoA by a majority assembly vote the position will remain empty until the assembly can.
Article V: Ministries and Government Offices
Section 1: All Ministries and Government Offices may be nominated by the founder or the WA Delegate (provided that the Delegate is not currently serving as a member of the Assembly). These Officers shall take office upon confirmation of a majority vote of the State Assembly.
Section 2: Additional offices may be created for a four month period by a majority vote of the Assembly. Permanent positions may only be created by a State Assembly Law or constitutional amendment.
Section 3: The Secretary of Defense shall track the status of all regional armed forces and shall serve as their Commander, both in RP conflicts and in the event of invasion.
Section 4: The Foreign Minister shall negotiate treaties, alliances, and/or embassies with other regions as appropriate.
Article VI: Ratification and Amendments
Section 1: This Constitution shall be proposed to the region on the Regional Message Board upon agreement of two thirds of all Regional Officers. Once proposed, all nations in the region shall have 28 days to register their approval or disapproval of the Constitution as a whole. The Constitution shall take effect at the end of that 28 day period provided that it is approved by at least two-thirds of all nations choosing to vote.
Section 2: Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of the State Assembly or by a petition of at least six resident nations. Proposed amendments shall be posted on the Regional Message Board All nations in the region shall have 20 days to register their approval or disapproval of the Amendment. The Amendment shall take effect at the end of that 20 day period provided that it is approved by at least two-thirds of all nations choosing to vote.
The New York Constitution
Article I: Preamble
We're the Great Empire State. Home of the city so nice, they named it twice and the ever enchanting Clinton family. Perhaps coincidentally we also have rats the size of small dogs and alligators in the sewers. Here's where the walrus died. If you're an aspiring actor, move here and Broadway will grind your bones into paste. No mimes, please. Excelsior!
Article II: Citizenship and Citizen Rights
Section 1: Citizenship within New York shall consist of all nations that reside within the region of New York as well as any other nations residing temporarily outside the region for the purpose of conducting New York business.
Section 2: Rights of New York's Citizens;
• Everyone is equal before the law. Discrimination on grounds of nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, race, sexual orientation, political or personal beliefs shall be prohibited.
• Every Citizen has the right to free speech and peaceful assembly.
• Every Citizen shall have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Region
• Every Citizen has the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the regional government and the State Assembly.
• Every Citizen has the right to the protection of personal data concerning them.
• Every Citizen has the right to have his or her affairs handled impartially, fairly and within a reasonable time by the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Region.
• Every Citizen has the right to join or establish a political party within New York.
Article III: The State Assembly
Section 1: The governing body of this region shall be the State Assembly. Regional Laws shall retain the highest authority next to the Constitution covering any subject matter not outlined in the constitution.
Section 2: A census of the nations residing in New York shall be taken on the first day of each odd numbered month for the purpose of apportioning the Assembly. There shall be 1 seat in the assembly for every 3 world assembly nations residing in New York, rounded to the nearest odd integer.
Section 3: Elections for open State Assembly seats shall occur in each odd-numbered month. Nominations shall begin at Noon, Eastern time, on the second Monday of the month and continue for exactly one week. Elections shall begin at Noon, Eastern time, on the third Monday of the month and continue for exactly one week. Voting will be conducted by approval vote where each voter votes “Yes” or “No” for each candidate. The candidates with the most yes votes will be elected, provided that the total of their yes votes exceeds the number of their “No” votes. If the number of nominees is less than or equal to the number of positions, nations will have 48 hours to register any disapproval of any nominee. If no disapprovals are registered, the slate of candidates will be declared elected.
Section 4: The State Assembly shall have the power to by a majority vote:
• Enact laws and policies for the Region
• Decide the guilt or innocence of any nation accused of behavior harmful to the region of New York.
• Eject and/or Ban Nations from the Region.
• Create and dissolve alliances and/or associations with other regions.
• Approve the construction and/or revocation of Embassies.
• Establish a Head of Assembly.
• Advise and Consent on the appointment of Executive, Ministries, and Government Officers.
Section 5: If the Assembly fails to act on any question for 60 hours, the founder shall decide the question in the name of the Region. The decision of the Founder shall have full effect and that effect shall become permanent unless it is overruled by a vote of the State Assembly within 10 days.
Section 6: If a member of the Assembly ceases to exist or moves from the region on a permanent basis, the Delegate shall act as a voting member of the Assembly until the next regularly scheduled election.
Article IV: Executive Officers
Section 1: There shall be three standing executive officers of the region: Founder, WA Delegate, and Head of Assembly. To represent the region's Creator, the people's representative, and the head of the region's elected body.
Section 2: The Founder will be the Chromodynamic Flavor of Gell-Mannhattan, who shall have primary responsibility for the administration of the region acting as Chief Administrative Officer. The founder has the right to bar the WA Delegate access to regional control if the region is threatened by a foreign force, this decision can be over turned by a majority vote of the State Assembly. The founder shall not serve as a member of the state Assembly without first assigning all rights and responsibilities of the position of founder to the WA Delegate.
Section 3: The WA Delegate will be the nation with the largest number of WA endorsements as determined by the game mechanics. The WA Delegate is to act as a representative of the people and ensure the rights of New York's citizens. The delegate shall assist the founder with the management of the Region, shall represent the region in World Assembly Votes and shall serve as a member of the Assembly in the event of a vacancy. If the WA Delegate has been delegate for over 30 days and has been a citizen of New York for over 100 days, he or she has the right to access regional controls. If the Founder ceases to exist or remains inactive for an extended period, the delegate shall also serve as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Region.
Section 4: The Head of Assembly(HoA) will be an assembly member elected by a majority State Assembly vote. He of she shall serve as a figure head of the State Assembly and as the third standing executive office. The HoA will be tasked with organizing assembly votes, keeping assembly members up to date, and ensuring the assembly functions efficiently. If the assembly is unable to elect a HoA by a majority assembly vote the position will remain empty until the assembly can.
Article V: Ministries and Government Offices
Section 1: All Ministries and Government Offices may be nominated by the founder or the WA Delegate (provided that the Delegate is not currently serving as a member of the Assembly). These Officers shall take office upon confirmation of a majority vote of the State Assembly.
Section 2: Additional offices may be created for a four month period by a majority vote of the Assembly. Permanent positions may only be created by a State Assembly Law or constitutional amendment.
Section 3: The Secretary of Defense shall track the status of all regional armed forces and shall serve as their Commander, both in RP conflicts and in the event of invasion.
Section 4: The Foreign Minister shall negotiate treaties, alliances, and/or embassies with other regions as appropriate.
Article VI: Ratification and Amendments
Section 1: This Constitution shall be proposed to the region on the Regional Message Board upon agreement of two thirds of all Regional Officers. Once proposed, all nations in the region shall have 28 days to register their approval or disapproval of the Constitution as a whole. The Constitution shall take effect at the end of that 28 day period provided that it is approved by at least two-thirds of all nations choosing to vote.
Section 2: Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of the State Assembly or by a petition of at least six resident nations. Proposed amendments shall be posted on the Regional Message Board All nations in the region shall have 20 days to register their approval or disapproval of the Amendment. The Amendment shall take effect at the end of that 20 day period provided that it is approved by at least two-thirds of all nations choosing to vote.
