Vix Tiramora/Constitution

Preamble

To preserve the freedom and unity of our people, so do we lay forth this document to preserve our democratic principles now, and for generations to come. Vix Tiramora is a shining beacon of democracy, and ever shall it be. The codified principles within will ensure that all citizens are safeguarded in their inalienable rights to freedom, happiness, and to participate in the governance of our lands. Never again will we know the yoke of tyranny, nor will we allow our practices to be turned into one. The protection of the citizens is the only true responsibility of the government. A citizen is one of noble blood, and all shall be granted the protections and privileges of their station.

Article I: The Great Houses

I.I: The Great Houses of Vix Tiramora

a. Three Houses will constitute the most basic governing bodies of our great democracy.

b. The Head of each Great House will be granted a seat upon the Executive Council.

c. Each Great House is responsible for the safekeeping of the citizens and lesser Houses sworn to its service.

d. The Heads of each Great House will be the sole party responsible for voting upon any changes to this constitution. Each Great House will receive one vote.

e. The Head of House for each Great House is decided upon by a popular vote of the Governors and Representatives of that Great House. The election will last five days. Eligible candidates to be considered for the Head of a House must be a Representative or Governor who has belonged to the Great House for at least one week.

f. Any Governor or Representative who has belonged to their House for at least one week may call for a vote of no confidence against their Head of House. This will be followed by a 3 day referendum among the Representatives and Governors of that House. If the vote of no confidence passes with a simple majority, the Head of House must step down immediately, and an election for a new one will begin, as outlined in section e.

Article II: The Executive Council

II.I: Membership

The Executive Council will be composed of the following individuals:

a. The Lord Vixir/Lady Vixia

b. The Prime Knight

c. The Executor

d. The Master Steward

e. All three Heads of House

II.II: Responsibilities of the Executive Council

a. The Lord Vixir/Lady Vixia will be responsible for maintaining general order within the Executive Council and ensuring discussions and debates remain orderly. The Lord Vixir may only cast a vote within the Executive Council when the Executive Council's vote results in a tie. The Lord Vixir is the chief diplomat of the realm, responsible for foreign relations, and may elevate diplomats to ambassador. The Lord Vixir is responsible for the distribution of funds to foreign entities. The Lord Vixir, without a vote may change relations to Neutral and Peace at his sole discretion. The Lord Vixir may also veto the passing of any referendum voted upon by the citizenry. This veto may be overridden by a qualified majority of the executive council.

b. The Prime Knight is responsible for the defense of the realm, and its armies. The Prime Knight may issue orders to the Marshals of the Armies, and is the sole authority to approve the formation or dissolution of armies. The Prime Knight, at his discretion may mobilize militia units and assign them to citizens only in times of war.

c. The Executor is responsible for law and order within the realm. As such, he serves to interpret and enforce the Constitution and Laws of Vix Tiramora. He is free to enforce the laws of Vix Tiramora as he sees fit, and also serves as an auxiliary to the Master Steward for maintenance of the realm, holding court when and where necessary. The Executor is solely responsible for the negotiation of prisoner treaties in times of war. The most important function of Executor is to safeguard the democracy of Vix Tiramora against the tyranny of the masses. As such, the Executor is responsible for determining the constitutionality of any law passed. Any citizen of the realm may challenge the constitutionality of a law, at which point the Executor will choose to overturn the law, or let it stand.

d. The Master Steward is responsible for the infrastructure, economy, and food of the realm. The Master Steward is solely responsible for the distribution of the food of the realm, and may appoint others to aid him. As such, the granaries of the realm will all be open to him. Stewards are directly subordinate to the Master Steward, and as such, the Master Steward may instruct any Governor or Representative to appoint a Knight or Dame to the position of Steward.

e. The Executive council is responsible for minutia, sensitive matters, and other administrative details, so as to spare the realm the burden of the daily operations of governance. The Executive Council will also be responsible for ensuring that elections are run properly and fairly via the Elective Committee. The Executive Council is granted the power to override the veto power of the Lord Vixir.

Article III: Referendums

III.I: Proposing a Referendum

a. Any citizen of Vix Tiramora may propose a referendum. Prior to initiating the referendum however, the proposal will be submitted to the Elective Committee, a message group comprised of the Executive Council, the proposer of the referendum, and any individuals deemed necessary to consult on the issue. The proposal's content will not be the issue of discussion. The only issues discussed will be the scope, specifics, and formatting, so that any referendums are as specific and unbiased as possible. Once a draft has been approved, the individual responsible for the initial proposal may post the approved draft as a referendum. If the original proposer of the referendum no longer wishes to propose the referendum, any member of the Executive Council may sponsor the referendum instead, once it has been approved.

b. Any successful referendum passed by the realm that does not violate the constitution will become law. The Executor is the sole authority on whether or not a law is constitutional.

III.II: Referendums

a. Any citizen may vote on a referendum.

b. Binding referendums will last five days. Emergency referendums, which may be proposed by any member of the Executive Council for emergency situations without approval by the Elective Committee, will last for three days, and only be binding for a period of thirty days. If anyone wishes to challenge the emergency referendum, it may be challenged by any member of the realm, and a referendum to repeal it will be immediately launched using a standard template, and last for five days.

c. Constitutional changes will be decided by the Heads of House. All changes to the constitution will need to be ratified by a qualified majority of the Heads of House. Changes will be submitted to the Lord Vixir to announce to the realm. The ratification of Constitutional changes can be challenged by a General Referendum from the public, requiring a qualified majority to veto.

III.III: Elections

Government and regional positions are the most important figures of the realm, and they represent a level of trust the citizenry have for a particular citizen. All citizens are eligible to run for these positions and encouraged to vote for eligible candidates.

a. Representatives and Governors are elected for life, until retirement or the individual is forced to step down for a criminal infraction. Representatives and Governors are elected automatically by all citizens.

b. The Lord Vixir/Lady Vixia is to be elected quarterly, by all citizens.

c. The Prime Knight is to be elected monthly, by all citizens.

d. The Executor is to be elected monthly, by all citizens.

e. The Master Steward is to be elected monthly, by all citizens.