Highmarch/Legislation/Constitution

Here lies the constitution of Highmarch. You may also consult:

The Original Constitution
First Amendment
Second Amendment
In a 5/7 vote, the Constitution was repealed on the first of December 2018.

Last (repealed) Constitution of Highmarch

Preamble:

We, the Noble Citizens of Highmarch, declare that this document is the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Highmarch.

May this document enshrine the voting practices, distribution of power, and framework of our Realm so that it may thrive beyond the individual lives of the leaders of today.

May this document support the idea that our Realm best functions as a Democracy -- it’s Noble Citizens freed from the Feudal system -- when the concentration of power is discouraged and Noble Citizens may rise in accordance with their merit and ambition.

May this document support the principle of freedom of speech so that our Realm will ever persist as a place where open discussion and debate is elevated, and none fear retribution for raising a dissenting voice. We believe that freedom of speech leads to optimal decisions, and thus, that it is our greatest strength.

Forward March!

Constitution of the Commonwealth 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 Lords.
13. Lords shall be elected for life by the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 5 day referendum.
14. If a Lord is stripped of his title due to being wounded, being captured, or having his region revolt or taken over, his duke may, in the following month, appoint him back without holding the referendum established by article 13.
14.1. If a duke is stripped of his title due to being wounded or being captured, the High Speaker may, in the following month, appoint him back without holding the referendum established by article 20.
15. There shall be two forms of duchies: Provincial Duchies and Liminal Duchies
16. Any duchy that joins Highmarch from another realm shall be considered a Liminal Duchy.
17. Any duchy that is formed for the specific purpose of creating a new realm shall be considered a Liminal Duchy.
18. Any other duchy that is formed, including the founding duchy of House Highmarch, shall be considered a Provincial Duchy.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. A Liminal Duchy must adopt a 35% or higher ducal tax rate.
23. 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.
24. The High Speaker may abolish, at any time, a duchy that no longer has any territories.
25. There may not be more than 3 Provincial Duchies.
Chapter III: Diplomacy
26. 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.
27. 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
28. 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.
29. Any laws not targeted by article 26, 27, or 28 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.
30. No law may contradict this constitution.
Chapter V: Constitutional Amendments
31. 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%.
VI: War Measures Act
32. Putting the War Measures Act into effect 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%.
33. Cessation of the War Measures Act 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.
34. When in conflict, the clauses of the War Measures Act override any other legislation.
35. The High Speaker may declare war, without a referendum, on any nation that: 1) loots a region of Highmarch, 2) attacks the army on Highmarch in a region of Highmarch, or 3) attacks the army of Highmarch in a region Highmarch is taking over.
36. Increasing relations with a foreign realm, up to Alliance status, requires a simple majority of the citizens of Highmarch, each vote weighing the same in a 3 day referendum, if the referendum is initiated by the High Speaker.
37. The High Speaker will no longer be barred from being Duke. However, he may not claim a Provincial Duchy, he must set a 50% ducal tax rate, and his duchy can never become a Provincial Duchy. He may also not appoint himself as duke without passing through the normal referendum.