Highmarch/Legislation/Constitution

Constitution of the Democratic State of Highmarch

Chapter I: Governance
1. Highmarch is a Democracy and this is its Constitution.
2. Every noble residing in Highmarch and sworn to it is a citizen.
3. The Realm Council is made up of four titles: (Ruler), (Judge), (Banker), and (General).
4. The title of (Ruler) is to be elected every three months by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 5 day referendum.
5. The title of (Judge) is to be elected every month by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 5 day referendum.
6. The title of (Banker) is to be elected every month by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 5 day referendum.
7. The title of (General) is to be elected every month by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 5 day referendum.
8. Senior Positions are defined as being all four Realm Council positions in addition to all those holding a ducal title.
9. Any citizen elected to a Senior Position must step down from any other he previously held.

Chapter II: Administration
10. The lords of all regions shall be called Representatives, save for those of cities and strongholds, who shall be called Governors. They shall be collectively referred to as Representatives.
11. Representatives shall be elected for life by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 5 day referendum.
12. There shall be three forms of duchies: a Native Duchy, an Immigrant Duchy, and a Colonial Duchy.
13. Any duchy that joins Highmarch from another realm shall be considered an Immigrant Duchy.
14. Any duchy that is formed for the specific purpose of ceding sovereignty over territory shall be considered a Colonial Duchy.
15. Any duchy that is formed for the administration of Highmarchian territories, including the founding duchy of House Highmarch, shall be considered a Native Duchy.
16. The creation of a new duchy requires a 2/3 majority by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum.
17. If a duchy lacks a duke, a new one shall be chosen by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum.
18. An immigrant duchy can be reformed as a Native Duchy by a 2/3 majority by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum.
19. A duke can have his duchy renamed to his liking, within the reasonable of what one might expect of a citizen of Highmarch, but must assume the costs of the procedure.
20. The (Ruler) may abolish, at any time, a duchy that no longer has any territories.
21. No new duchy may be created if there is already as many duchies are there are cities and strongholds combined.
22. Duchies may only be formed from cities, strongholds, and townslands.

Chapter III: Diplomacy
23. Any change in diplomatic relations requires a simple majority by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum, if the referendum is initiated by the (ruler). If it is initiated by anyone else, it requires a 2/3 majority..
24. Any change to federation relations requires a 2/3 majority by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum.

Chapter IV: Legislation
25. Any laws on looting, duels, religions, and prisoner treatment can be created or amended by a simple majority by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum, if the referendum is initiated by the (judge). If it is initiated by anyone else, it requires a 2/3 majority.
26. Any laws not targeted by article 23, 24, or 25 are the subject of a simple majority by the citizen of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum, if initiated by the (ruler) or a Duke. If it is initiated by anyone else, it requires a 2/3 majority.
27. No law may contradict this constitution.

Chapter V: Constitutional Amendments
28. Adopting, amending, or abolishing this Constitution requires a 2/3 majority by the citizen of Highmarch and a 2/3 majority by the Native Dukes of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum, and a participation of at least 40%.