King, Duke, and the Passing of Laws Activity Change

This is a huge topic. It's going to be something that's discussed in depth, and I'm sure this will be a heated topic. However, we need to seriously consider some changes to the way these things work.

I've some suggestions that I'd like to throw out for now, and I'm sure that we can all agree on some kind of improved system!

1. Remove "activity" timeframes entirely.

2. Set a timeframe for which things must be voted on - 1-2 weeks are the numbers being thrown around it seems.

3. Not voting on a law within said timeframe is abstaining. This means you must vote no if you actually have a problem with the legislation, instead of ignoring it. Votes are then tallied, and the typical numbers required to pass said bill apply. Laws could be resubmitted of course, if they fail to pass.

4. The suggestions here do not address rank ascensions, only bills and amendments. I'm not sure what to do about those things and activity requirements. The issue here is that we don't want to make it too easy to ascend rank, however, having kings that are legally active but haven't logged on in months and comment enough to meet the requirements, yet don't bother to vote on rank ascensions or even comment on them is a serious problem. We could address this in this legislation discussion, or start a new thread to address them.

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Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice

Good Evening!

Much discussion has taken place on this important topic. It seems to be a common theme so far that we want to:

- Have both forums and in-game participation counts towards activity

- Kings/Queens and Dukes must be able to voluntarily declare themselves inactive, yet there must also be a mechanism for involuntary inactivity.

- Have legislation be on 'individualized timers' as per Mark's initial post; Kings and Dukes should be forced to vote for or against legislation within a reasonable time frame, and be recorded as having abstained on that particular legislation if they chose not to vote. This is good for several reasons, as it a) forces us to explain our objections to legislation rather than just ignore it and b) means that individual pieces of legislation are 'encapsulated' - if a King/Duke votes on one but not any other pieces of concurrent legislation within the timeframe, their vote counts towards the one they voted on but none of the others so that those other pieces of legislation aren't in legal limbo.

With this in mind, I have drafted up a very rough concept for what I think this set of laws might eventually look like. It divides the Voting and Activity Laws into two categories: general voting activity as determined by participation in-game and legislation-specific voting activity.

Thoughts, comments, criticism, and debate on the ideas I have laid out here would be much appreciated! Here's to better, more workable activity laws!

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The Voting and Activity Laws

Activity Within the Empire

1. If a sitting member of the Council of the Crowned is not seen within the lands of the Mercurian Empire (appears in-game) for a period of one mercannum (one month), they are officially inactive. Their voting rights shall be suspended until such point as they are seen within the Empire again (reappear in-game). Their vote shall not be counted towards Imperial legislation for this period. If the King or Queen has appointed a Duke to act as their official proxy, their vote shall continue to be counted until or unless the Duke in question is officially inactive.

2. If a sitting member of the House of Dukes is not seen within the lands of the Mercurian Empire (appears in-game) for a period of one mercannum (one month), they are officially inactive. Their voting rights shall be suspended until such point as they are seen within the Empire again (reappear in-game). Their vote shall not be counted towards Imperial legislation for this period.

3. Any active sitting member of the Council of the Crowned or active sitting member of the House of Dukes may voluntarily declare themselves inactive at any time through formal announcement in their respective House. Their vote shall not be counted towards Imperial legislation for this period. The individual shall become active again upon stating so in a formal announcement in their respective House.

Responses to Legislation and Abstaining

1. Within a two week period from the day that a piece of Imperial Legislation is posted in the ‘Council of the Crowned Discussion and Voting’ section of the Imperial Parliament, active sitting members of the Council of the Crowned may cast a formal vote for or against the passage of the legislation. If an active sitting member of the Council of the Crowned does not record a formal vote for or against the passage of the legislation in this period, they are officially recorded as having abstained from voting. Their vote shall not be counted towards the passing of the legislation in question; their vote shall continue to be counted towards all other Imperial legislation including the same piece of legislation if resubmitted.

2. Within a two week period from the day that a piece of Imperial Legislation is posted in the House of Dukes, active sitting members of the House of Dukes may cast a formal vote for or against the passage of the legislation. If an active sitting member of the House of Dukes does not record a formal vote for or against the passage of the legislation in this period, they are officially recorded as having abstained from voting. Their vote shall not be counted towards the passing of the legislation in question; their vote shall continue to be counted towards all other Imperial legislation including the same piece of legislation if resubmitted.

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Wysterian Labourer's Council
Currently Holding Stewardship of Wysteria
Minister for Applications and Settlement
Forums Administrator

This seems a lot more fair and less frustrating for all involved. Great work you two. Bar anything I may have missed or changes I havent thought of, this has my approval.

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Petra Ravnikaar of The Veil

When saying "their vote is not counted" does this mean that the voting threshold is lowered or that their vote is essentially treated as being a "not yes" vote?

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Ulrik Gunnarson
Duke of the Gathered Races of Hermertia Homeland (GRHH)
The Chairman of the GRHH Co.

It's treated as abstaining.

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Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice

'Not Counted' means 'not counted towards the threshold' - the voting threshold is thus readjusted to not count the member's vote towards the legislative requirement. In that respect, it is the same mechanic as we have now.

Say 4 Kings are active: Scrios, Kyn, Arjen, and Ignis. A month goes by, and Arjen does not appear within the lands of the Empire ( Arjen does not log into the server for a month). Arjen is thus deemed innactive, and until he reappears ingame his vote is 'not counted' for any Imperial legislation. Prior to Arjen's innactivity, a bill requiring approval from 60% of active Kings would be passed with a vote from 60% of the 4 active Kings: 3 Kings would be needed to pass the legislation. Once Arjen is innactive, his vote is not counted towards Imperial legislation and so the boting threshold is lowered to take this into account: the same bill requiring approval from 60% of active Kings would then be passed with a vote from 60% of the 3 active Kings: 2 Kings would be needed to pass the legislation.

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Wysterian Labourer's Council
Currently Holding Stewardship of Wysteria
Minister for Applications and Settlement
Forums Administrator

I like the legislation you've written for us Nicholas - only one question. What are you trying to say with that last line of points 1 and 2 under Responses to Legislation and Abstaining ? I'm really not sure exactly what you're trying to say there.

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Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice

The language simply a) clarifies that the individual's voting powers are abstained only for that particular piece of legialation and not all legislation currently tabled, and b) guarantees that the individual may vote on that legislation, even if is identical,if it is for any reason resubmitted at a later date.

Sorry for the confusion. I'd be happy to look at clearer wording if the current form is still unclear!

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Wysterian Labourer's Council
Currently Holding Stewardship of Wysteria
Minister for Applications and Settlement
Forums Administrator

You should clarify it!

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Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice

Suggested clarifications! Changes are shown in red.

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The Voting and Activity Laws

Activity Within the Empire

1. If a sitting member of the Council of the Crowned is not seen within the lands of the Mercurian Empire (appears in-game) for a period of one mercannum (one month), they are officially inactive. Their voting rights shall be suspended until such point as they are seen within the Empire again (reappear in-game). Their vote shall not be counted towards Imperial legislation for this period. If the King or Queen has appointed a Duke to act as their official proxy, their vote shall continue to be counted until or unless the Duke in question is officially inactive.

2. If a sitting member of the House of Dukes is not seen within the lands of the Mercurian Empire (appears in-game) for a period of one mercannum (one month), they are officially inactive. Their voting rights shall be suspended until such point as they are seen within the Empire again (reappear in-game). Their vote shall not be counted towards Imperial legislation for this period.

3. Any active sitting member of the Council of the Crowned or active sitting member of the House of Dukes may voluntarily declare themselves inactive at any time through formal announcement in their respective House. Their vote shall not be counted towards Imperial legislation for this period. The individual shall become active again upon stating so in a formal announcement in their respective House.

Responses to Legislation and Abstaining

1. Within a two week period from the day that a piece of Imperial Legislation is posted in the ‘Council of the Crowned Discussion and Voting’ section of the Imperial Parliament, active sitting members of the Council of the Crowned may cast a formal vote for or against the passage of the legislation. If an active sitting member of the Council of the Crowned does not record a formal vote for or against the passage of the legislation in this period, they are officially recorded as having abstained from voting. Their vote shall not be counted towards the passing of the legislation in question; however, their vote shall continue to be counted towards all other Imperial legislation currently tabled.

2. Within a two week period from the day that a piece of Imperial Legislation is posted in the House of Dukes, active sitting members of the House of Dukes may cast a formal vote for or against the passage of the legislation. If an active sitting member of the House of Dukes does not record a formal vote for or against the passage of the legislation in this period, they are officially recorded as having abstained from voting. Their vote shall not be counted towards the passing of the legislation in question; however, their vote shall continue to be counted towards all other Imperial legislation currently tabled.

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Wysterian Labourer's Council
Currently Holding Stewardship of Wysteria
Minister for Applications and Settlement
Forums Administrator