WHEREAS there were talks about creating fixed dates elections, in order to provide reliability and predictability for the electors AND
WHEREAS no one ever did anything about it AND
WHEREAS This proposal provides a single election per year, in January 15th, skipping the holiday season and two months of recess during the summer AND
WHEREAS we get exactly 4 Clarks before the summer break and 4 Clarks after the summer break, a perfect symmetry AND
WHEREAS We could call each of the 4 Clark period a "session" so that even if we have the same MC, we could ask the government to offer a different "agenda" for each AND
WHEREAS Nothing prevents us to later easily change the summer recess to a 2 months election if we later feel that 1 year is too long AND
WHEREAS This proposal, unlike the first version, doesn't have an election occurring at the same time as the Clark, staying closer to tradition AND
WHEREAS this proposal allows for a new coalition if the government fails AND
THEREFORE the Ziu resolves to put in a referendum the following changes to the Organic Law
Section 3 of article 6 which currently reads:
All elections to the Cosa are to be conducted during a period beginning from the fifteenth day of the calendar month following the dissolution of the prior Cosa until 7:30 p.m. on the first day of the subsequent month. The first day of this period (the fifteenth) is called the "Balloting Day" and the final day is called the "Election Deadline."
Is replaced with:
All elections to the Cosa are to be conducted during a period beginning from the fifteenth day of the calendar month of January until 7:30 p.m. on the first day of February. The first day of this period (the fifteenth) is called the "Balloting Day" and the final day is called the "Election Deadline."
Section 1 of Article XIII which currently reads:
Duration of the Cosâ. The Cosâ convenes on the first day of the month after general elections, to coincide with the publication of the first Clark. Its term is roughly six months, each month coinciding with a Clark. During its last month, the King shall issue a Writ of Dissolution ending its term. At the time the Cosâ is dissolved, all its members shall resign, but any Members holding positions in the Government may remain in those positions till the outcome of the election is resolved.
Is replaced by:
Duration of the Cosâ. The Cosâ convenes on the first day of the month after general elections (March), to coincide with the publication of the first Clark. Its term is exactly 10 months, each month (except for July and August) coinciding with a specific Clark (for example, September is Clark #5). During its last month (December) the King shall issue a Writ of Dissolution ending its term. At the time the Cosâ is dissolved, all its members shall resign, but any Members holding positions in the Government may remain in those positions till the outcome of the election is resolved. When this amendment is ratified, a transition period will be applied so that the following Cosa will have its election during the first of the following two events: After its 6th Clark is published, or in July of that year.
In Section 2 of Article XIII, the word "six-month" is replaced by "eight-month", and the words "five Clarks" are replaced by "Seven Clarks"
Section 3 of Article XIII which currently reads:
The Seneschál may insert between any two Clarks, or after the final Clark, a "month of recess" in which no Clark is published and no Cosâ or Senäts business is conducted. No more than one "month of recess" may be declared during any one term of office.
Is replaced by (explicitly overriding and taking priority over any other amendments put to referendum affecting this section in the same election):
The months of July and August are months of recess in which no Clark is published and no Cosâ or Senäts business is conducted.
Section 4 of Article XIII is removed
The part os Section 6 of Article XIII which currently reads:
the King shall dissolve the Cosâ and call new elections.
Is replaced by (unless another bill is ratified which proposed a similar mechanic in which case it would take priority over this replacement):
the King shall select a new Senechal he feels would be best able to succeed at a Vote of Confidence
Section 3 of Article IV which currently reads:
Each time the Cosa shall be dissolved, there shall be an election for one-third of the total Senate seats (rounded to the nearest whole number). The exact fixed order of rotation of provinces for elections shall be set by law and shall require two-thirds vote in the Cosa with approval by the King and the Senäts to be modified.
Is replaced by:
Each time the Cosa shall be dissolved, there shall be an election for approximately one-half of the total Senate seats (rounded to the nearest whole number) so that each Senator is elected for 2 years. The exact fixed order of rotation of provinces for elections shall be set by law and shall require two-thirds vote in the Cosa with approval by the King and the Senäts to be modified.
Ureu q'estadra så,
Sir Martì-Páir Furxhéir (Secretary of State)