Proposal #96: “Motion to Return to Old Voting procedure” was a polled discussion presented to the Senate of Yamatai by Mifune Adele in YE 34. It was not a formalized proposal like more traditional senate proposals but won with a vote of 6 Yay / 2 nay but was vetoed by the Empress Himiko I for lack of clarity after a round of fierce debate between Senator Mifune and Senator Hanako.

The senator stands.

“Recently it was evidenced by the recent passing of our new constitution and Proposal number 95 that the voting procedure has been changed.

“Precedent for change was set by bill number 94, which was shot down. It is presently the status of the senate that any amendment to senate procedure be approved by the senate itself; we govern ourselves separate of any imperial or military body.

“However it has recently been instated, apparently without our knowledge, that votes are to be taken immediately as an effort to 'streamline the process.' This is as opposed to giving us, the senate, the opportunity to refine bills before they see law. Previously, after the bill was discussed, we would make a movement for the bill to come to a vote. Now a bill is simply voted yes or no; after three votes according to procedure, a motion can be made to waive the seven day voting procedure, and bills can be passed quickly and effortlessly through the senate.

“This is a call to return to the former way of doing things - a vote may be called, but it may not be instituted immediately upon the suggestion of a new bill. A call to vote must be seconded before the voting procedure is to begin.

“I further move that the Imperial Premier be questioned on her involvement in this arbitrary change to our voting procedure and, should our investigations deem her complacent in this violation of our rights as voters and citizens of the empire, she be removed and another Imperial Premier be instated.”

Another senator rose up from the other end of the room, and spoke calmly. “I would like to make a motion to amend the law as written now. In addition to the current changes, I would like to amend the rules on motions to end to overrule a challenge, should it be opposed by at least a 75% majority, that lone individuals may no longer stonewall such an overwhelming majority as this.” The tall man bowed slightly before resuming his seat.

Hanako challenged the motion to change.

Standing up, enraged, the Mifune senator spouted, “Irregardless I shall include the projected change. As the writer of this bill I reserve the right to change it at any time of my own free will. It is preposterous that a single voter should stonewall this bill when such an overwhelming majority in so short a time has expressed their will for it to be passed. Based upon that, and accepting that my changes now also include this clause, I move again to close the voting.”

Kim created this article on 2018/01/29 23:51. Proposal 96: Return to old voting procedure was written by Gallant on 10 Nov 2012 and concluded on the same day after 7 votes were cast.