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: High Speaker (Ruler), High Magistrate (Judge), High Treasurer (Banker), and High General (General).
• 4. The title of High Speaker is to be elected every three months by the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 5 day referendum.
• 5. The title of High Magistrate is to be elected every month by the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 5 day referendum.
• 6. The title of High Treasurer is to be elected every month by the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 5 day referendum.
• 7. The title of High General is to be elected every month by the citizens 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 ducal titles.
• 9. A citizen may not run for more than one Senior Position at a time.
• 10. If a citizen who held a Senior Position wins an election for another Senior Position, a referendum is to be initiated within 2 days to elect the replacement, as per the Senior Position's rules, unless that position has a scheduled election 14 or less days later.
• 11. If no one has announced their candidacy by 1.5 days before the conclusion of an election for a Realm Council position, those already running for one may present themselves for an additional one.
• Chapter II: Administration
• 12. 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.
• 13. Representatives shall be elected for life by the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 5 day referendum.
• 14. There shall be two forms of duchies: Provincial Duchies and Liminal Duchies
• 15. Any duchy that joins Highmarch from another realm shall be considered a Liminal Duchy.
• 16. Any duchy that is formed for the specific purpose of creating a new realm shall be considered a Liminal Duchy.
• 17. Any other duchy that is formed, including the founding duchy of House Highmarch, shall be considered a Provincial Duchy.
• 18. The creation of a new duchy requires a 2/3 majority of the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum.
• 19. If a duchy lacks a duke, a new one shall be chosen by the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum.
• 20. A Liminal Duchy can be reformed as a Provincial Duchy by a 2/3 majority of the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum.
• 21. A Liminal Duchy must adopt a 35% or higher ducal tax rate.
• 22. A duke can have his duchy renamed to his liking, within the reasonable of what one might expect of a territory of Highmarch, but must assume the costs of the procedure.
• 23. The High Speaker may abolish, at any time, a duchy that no longer has any territories.
• 24. There may not be more than 3 Provincial Duchies.
• Chapter III: Diplomacy
• 25. Any change in diplomatic relations requires a simple majority of the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum, if the referendum is initiated by the High Speaker. If it is initiated by anyone else, it requires a 2/3 majority.
• 26. Any change to or from federation relations requires a 2/3 majority of the citizens of Highmarch and a 2/3 majority by the Provincial Dukes of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum, and a participation of at least 40%.
• Chapter IV: Legislation
• 27. Any laws on looting, duels, religions, and prisoner treatment can be created or amended by a simple majority of the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum, if the referendum is initiated by the High Magistrate. If it is initiated by anyone else, it requires a 2/3 majority.
• 28. Any laws not targeted by article 25, 26, or 27 require a simple majority of the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum, if initiated by the High Speaker or a Provincial Duke. If it is initiated by anyone else, it requires a 2/3 majority.
• 29. No law may contradict this constitution.
• Chapter V: Constitutional Amendments
• 30. Adopting, amending, or abolishing this Constitution requires a 2/3 majority of the citizens of Highmarch and a 2/3 majority by the Provincial Dukes of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 7 day referendum, and a participation of at least 40%.