[DEFEATED] Regulating Remote Election Administration

[Boston Castle]

See, I have a sense of humor! In all seriousness, I think this is absolutely something worth pursuing. So here's attempt 3 at this, now written in Statute Style.

On a serious note, I took Cretox's suggestion of expanding it to cover remote forms of voting generally while also taking on IA's suggestion of form. If you have questions, please feel free to ask!

Regulating Remote Election Administration

Category: Furtherment of Democracy | Strength: Mild

Whereas issues regarding in-person voting are best left to individual member states and issues of remote voting are best addressed by uniform standards, be it enacted as follows:

1. In this resolution,
   
   1. “election day” refers to the day in which voters are prescribed by law to vote in an election or election(s);
   2. “absentee voter” refers to any voter who lives in their nation of citizenship who votes in advance of the date prescribed by law for an election;
   3. “expatriate voter” refers to any voter who, while living in a nation they are not a citizen of, votes in their nation of citizenship;
   4. “mail ballot” refers to a ballot which utilizes a postal service for the purpose of obtaining and returning a ballot;
   5. “e-voting” refers to any method of voting which utilizes a technological interface by which a ballot is cast remotely.
2. All member nations are required to employ the same methods of counting for all ballots cast by absentee voters and expatriate voters.
   
   1. Member nations may require that ballots cast by these voters be counted separately from ballots cast by voters who choose to not employ alternative methods or who vote on election day.
3. All member nations must make clear to its citizens who request to vote as expatriates or absentee what special requirements there are, if any, for their ballot to be counted.
   
4. Member nations are allowed to enact the following restrictions on absentee voters who utilize mail ballots:
   
   1. witness of ballots by another person who can affix a mark to the ballot,
   2. time restrictions on when ballots may be requested such that there may be a fixed date, communicated to absentee and expatriate voters, whereby ballots must be received, and
   3. restrictions on who may vote remotely such as requiring military service or severe illness before a person can utilize a mail ballot.
5. The same restrictions which member nations are allowed to enact on absentee voters who utilize mail ballots may also be enacted on expatriate voters who utilize mail ballots.
   
6. Absentee and expatriate voters must receive a ballot that is compliant with their request and matches the election day ballot of the electoral division in which they are registered to vote.
   
7. The following provisions may be enacted in regards to expatriate voters:
   
   1. Member nations may create an “overseas constituency” of all expatriate voters where their collated votes may count towards representation in a national assembly or otherwise.
   2. Member nations may bar expatriate voters from participating in regional or local elections.
8. All member nations must make clear to its citizens who utilize e-voting what processes are used to ensure their vote’s anonymity and how their vote is counted.
   
9. Member nations are allowed to enact the following restrictions on those who choose to utilize e-voting:
   
   1. use of a form of national identification in order to ensure that a person votes no more than once,
   2. use of certain platforms that are not open for corruption or influence by malign actors, and
   3. time restrictions on when one can access an electronic ballot.

Regulating Overseas Election Administration

Category: Furtherment of Democracy | Strength: Significant

The General Assembly,

NOTICING that without the ability to vote while not in one’s home nation, citizens of a nation may be intentionally or unintentionally excluded from the political process,

DECRYING that the lack of uniform standards for the administration of elections for overseas electors might have deleterious effects on national election administration, hereby:

1. Defines the following terms for the purposes of this law;
   
   
   1. ”Overseas voter” as a citizen of a nation which allows registered voters who are overseas to participate in national elections who has fulfilled all the requirements in national law in order to vote, who is not in aforementioned nation at the time of a national election, relevant by-election, and/or national referendum,
2. Mandates that member nations;
   
   
   1. Coordinate hours of polling places, in this case consulates, embassies, or other sites as designated by national election officials, to ensure that overseas voters have the ability to cast their ballot,
      
      
      1. Clarifying that polling places must be open for the same hours as they are open in the nation conducting the national election, by-election, or referenda, subject to the time zone of the polling place's location,
   2. Harmonize counting methods so that votes can be scrutinized, counted, and released in compliance with previously standing legislation;
3. Further mandates that nations regulate which boundaries overseas voters will vote under in elections, should they exist, noting that;
   
   
   1. Member nations may create or utilize “overseas constituencies” if they wish to for national elections;
4. Instructs member nations to inform overseas voters what special requirements there are for overseas voters in terms of ballot receipt or security;
   
5. Asserts that member states who are conducting elections ought to take the following steps in order to ensure overseas voters have the ability to vote in their nation of citizenship;
   
   
   1. Organize an effective method to ensure that all eligible overseas voters have the opportunity to vote, such as using a postal service to facilitate voting or using consular or embassy facilities as polling places,
      
   2. Organize counting centers for collated overseas votes that are able to follow the same timeline for counting as the national electorate and take into account any special requirements that are created under the terms of this law, though,
      
      
      1. Noting that member nations may choose to require receipt of overseas voters’ votes earlier than normal ballots would be received nationally, so that those votes can be counted, scrutinized, and returned on the same timeline as other voters' ballots are;

[/list][/list]

For edits, see post on page 2 from here on out (Post 44).

[Wallenburg]

"In the interest of good law, I will return to this shortly with some suggestions to improve the manner in which you are pursuing this goal. For now, I must state my opposition to the goal itself. Wallenburg has a long and proud history of fair and uncorrupted elections. We do not allow for those who do not even bother to return home to cast votes. Being citizens abroad with neither interest in the matters of our nation nor attentiveness to travel to their ancestral homes in Wallenburg, they have no reason to participate in elections except to serve as agents of foreign governments. Our delegates are elected by their constituents, not by foreigners."

[Ardiveds]

"Ambassador, this proposal doesn't mandate that a nation has to allow overseas citizens to vote, just that it has to mantain certain standards if it does choose to allow it, right?"

[Wallenburg]

"Ambassador, this proposal doesn't mandate that a nation has to allow overseas citizens to vote, just that it has to mantain certain standards if it does choose to allow it, right?"

"The exact mandates are a little difficult to understand--something I intend to address when I have more time--but the proposal clearly intends to expand voting opportunities to beyond the territorial limits of member states. I am fairly certain clause 3 would not permit Wallenburg to continue its elections as they are currently implemented."

[Boston Castle]

"Ambassador, this proposal doesn't mandate that a nation has to allow overseas citizens to vote, just that it has to mantain certain standards if it does choose to allow it, right?"

“You are correct, sir. The definitions of overseas voters and eligible voters I’ve given should hopefully dissuade people from thinking I’m coercing them into something they don’t wish to do.”

"Ambassador, this proposal doesn't mandate that a nation has to allow overseas citizens to vote, just that it has to mantain certain standards if it does choose to allow it, right?"

"The exact mandates are a little difficult to understand--something I intend to address when I have more time--but the proposal clearly intends to expand voting opportunities to beyond the territorial limits of member states. I am fairly certain clause 3 would not permit Wallenburg to continue its elections as they are currently implemented."

“Ambassador, the mandates are all predicated on having fulfilled all eligibility requirements-as I defined overseas voter. Fulfilling all eligibility requirements in one’s home nation is what the entirety of this proposal is predicated on.”

[Tinhampton]

Alexander Smith, Tinhamptonian Delegate-Ambassador to the World Assembly: Do you... really need that many nested lists? Now, if you look at what we've done here... we think the category and title is OK*, I've taken out a few bits, take whatever you want from this, don't cite Tinhampton as a co-author if you do take anything, please, thank you, et cetera.

The General Assembly,

NOTING that some member states allow for their citizens to vote while not actually resident on their territory,

DECRYING that the lack of uniform standards for the administration of elections for overseas electors might have deleterious effects on national election administration,

BELIEVING that the World Assembly ought to create such standards in order to rectify any concerns, hereby:

1. Defines, for the purpose of this resolution:
   
   1. an "eligible voter" as a citizen of a member nation who is registered to vote and meets all of the requirements in that member's national law in order to vote, and
   2. an "overseas voter" as an eligible voter who holds citizenship in a member nation that allows registered voters who live overseas to vote in national elections;
2. Requires that - in the interests of universal electoral administration - member nations:
   
   1. standardize voting requirements (such as those surrounding the presentation of identification) between eligible voters in the nation an overseas voter wishes to vote in and overseas voters,
   2. harmonize the opening times of polling stations such as consulates, embassies, and other sites designated by national election officials as to allow overseas voters to cast ballots, and
   3. reform vote-counting standards, if necessary, to ensure that votes can be scrutinized, counted, and announced in compliance with prior and standing legislation;
3. Further mandates that, to avoid the disenfranchisement of overseas voters, member nations:
   
   1. demarcate which boundaries overseas voters must vote under in national elections, if they are organised (which may include designating "overseas constituencies" for these voters),
   2. additionally demarcate which boundaries voters must vote under in local and regional elections, if they are organised,
   3. define additional requirements for overseas voters in regards to ballot receipt and security, and
   4. take steps to facilitate the participation of overseas voters in their home nation's elections;
4. Recommends that members tie the registration of eligible voters in local and regional elections to the last locality or local authority that either they or the relative they obtained citizenship from resided in; and
5. Urges members to:
   
   1. open existing consulates and embassies as to allow overseas voters to cast in person,
   2. organise counting centers for collated overseas votes, with due regard to any special requirements created as a result of this resolution (including requirements that overseas votes be submitted earlier than normal votes would be received nationally), so that they may follow the same timeline for scrutiny and counting as national elections, and
   3. notify all of their citizens of their eligibility to vote, what they must do to register to vote (if they have not done so already), and how they can vote; and
6. clarifies that this resolution only applies to members in which elections are held.

(*although OOC IA might disagree! ;P)

[Honeydewistania]

"Is this an essay? Why the ‘On’ title?"

[Boston Castle]

"Is this an essay? Why the ‘On’ title?"

“Because, Ambassador, I was undecided about the name and couldn’t be bothered to change it since it is so early in the drafting stage.”

[Cretox State]

While I think this is a worthwhile area for legislation, the current draft is weighed down by superfluous and confusing language. I've taken the liberty of going over it; this post contains an annotated version.

The General Assembly,

NOTICING that several states in the multiverse allow for their citizens to vote while not resident in the nation they hold citizenship in,Why "several"? You'd be better served starting with why overseas voting is important, and why it should be regulated.

DECRYING that the lack of uniform standards for the administration of elections for overseas electors might have deleterious effects on national election administration,

BELIEVING that the World Assembly ought to create and uphold uniform standards for elections held for overseas electors so that any concerns may be rectified, hereby:This is redundant with the one above.

1. Defines the following terms for the purposes of this law;Make sure you're being consistent with your list punctuation.
   
   
   1. ”Overseas voter” as a citizen, who is registered to vote, of a nation which allows registered voters who are overseas to participate in national elections who has fulfilled all the requirements in national law in order to vote,This definition just means "person registered to vote in a nation that allows overseas voting." Not actually an overseas voter. I also think it's better to not use "overseas voter" given that nations could be landlocked. Maybe just legislate on absentee voting in general?
      
      
      1. ”Eligible voter” as a citizen, registered to vote, of a nation who has fulfilled all the requirements in national law in order to vote,Don't think you actually need this definition.
   2. ’Electorate” as the sum of all eligible voters,This is a common definition. Also, settle on whether you want to use ' or " marks.
      
   3. ’Constituency” as the divisions used by a national elections commission, or other legal authority with the binding authority to draw electoral boundaries, to elect members of a legislature or other bodies;Strange term in my opinion, but alright.
2. Mandates that member nationstake steps to ensure uniform electoral administration by ensuring the following conditions are availableCan cut out all of that.;
   
   
   1. Standardizing voting requirements, such as presenting identification, between eligible voters resident in the nation an overseas voter wishes to vote in and overseas voters,A bit verbose, but works.
      
   2. Harmonizing hours of polling places, in this case consulates, embassies, or other sites as designated by national election officials, to ensure that overseas voters have the ability to cast their ballot,Why is this necessary?
      
   3. Reforming counting standards so that votes can be scrutinized, counted, and released in compliance with previously standing legislation;
3. Further mandates that member nations take the following steps to ensure that overseas voters are not disenfranchised;
   
   1. Regulating which boundaries overseas voters will vote under in national elections, should they exist, though,Wouldn't nations already do this?
      
      
      1. Noting that member nations may create or utilize “overseas constituencies” if they wish to for national elections,
   2. Regulating which boundaries voters will vote under in local or regional elections, should they exist, though,Again, this is something nations would already do.
      
      
      1. Recommending that the registration of voters in local or regional elections should be tied to the last locality or local authority they resided in or the locality or authority of last residence of the relative that they obtained citizenship from,
   3. Regulating what special requirements there are for overseas voters in terms of ballot receipt or security;
4. Requires that member states take steps to facilitate the participation of overseas voters in the elections of their home nations;I don't see how this really adds anything.
   
5. Asserts that member states ought toNot sure what that phrase means. take the following steps in order to ensure overseas voters have the ability to vote in their nation of citizenship,
   
   
   1. Opening existing consular facilities and embassies, where they exist, so that overseas voters can vote in-person if they so choose,Might be more effective to require that there be a system in place rather than requiring that specific facilities be opened.
      
   2. Organizing counting centers for collated overseas votes that are able to follow the same timeline for counting as the national electorate and take into account any special requirements are created under the terms of this law, though,
      
      
      1. Noting that member nations may choose to require receipt of overseas voters’ votes earlier than normal ballots would be received nationally, so that those votes can be counted, scrutinized, and returned on the same timeline as other voters' ballots are,
   3. Notifying all citizens of their eligibility, what requirements there are for voting, and how they can vote;
6. Clarifies that this resolution only applies to nations where elections are held.

I know the above might not be extremely helpful, but I'll post a fully edited version tomorrow.

[Boston Castle]

Edits up until 2:34 PM EDT/7:34 PM GMT Sunday, December 6, 2020.

13. “including” changed to “such as” in Clause 5(a)

12. ", subject to the time zone of the polling place's location," added to 2(a)(1); "reform" in clause 2(b) changed to "harmonize" to be in compliance with earlier law; Clause 6 eliminated.

Clause 6: Clarifies that this resolution only applies to nations where elections are held.

[/b][/i]
11. “Standards” changed to “methods” in clause 2(b).

10. Definition of “overseas voter” changed “ , who is registered to vote,” eliminated, “ who is not in aforementioned nation at the time of a national election, relevant by-election, and/or national referendum,” added at the end of clause 1(a). Clause 1(b) eliminated. 2(a)(i) added. Clause 5 deleted.[/b][/i]

Clause 1(b): “ ”Electorate” as the sum of all eligible voters;”

Clause 5: Requires that member states take steps to facilitate the participation of overseas voters in the elections of their home nations;

[/b][/i]
9. Definition of constituency eliminated; former 2(a) eliminated; “harmonize” in new 2(a) changed to “coordinate”; 3(b) eliminated; “ who are conducting elections” added to clause 6.
[/b][/i]

“Constituency” as the divisions used by a national elections commission, or other legal authority with the binding authority to draw electoral boundaries, to elect members of a legislature or other bodies;

Old 2(a): Standardize voting requirements, such as presenting identification, between eligible voters resident in the nation an overseas voter wishes to vote in and overseas voters,

3(b): The registration of voters in local or regional elections should be tied to the last locality or local authority they resided in or the locality or authority of last residence of the relative that they obtained citizenship from

8. "disenfranchised" replaced with "excluded from the political process".

7. Some punctuation issues fixed. [Yes, I’m a perfectionist.]

6: “National” removed from before “elections” in clause 3.

5:”that member nations take the following steps to ensure that overseas voters are not disenfranchised;” removed from clause 3. Clauses 3 and 3(a) merged. Clauses 3(a)(i) and 3(a)(ii) are now 3(a) and 3(b), wording also changed (not added to edits). Old clause 3(b) now clause 4, all other following items shifted down. Clause 3(b) edited. Old 5(c) eliminated, it was superfluous.

Old 3(c)“Notify all citizens of their eligibility, what requirements there are for voting, and how they can vote;”

Old 3.b beginning: Regulate what special requirements there are”

4: Some tensing changes. Verbs at the start of clauses changed into present tense and not present participle where possible.

3: First intro clause re-worded. Intro clause 3 eliminated and “hereby” added to the end of clause 2. Quotation marks rather than ‘ put at front of definitions 2 and 3 in clause 1. 1(a)(I) eliminated. End of clause 2 eliminated, subclauses put in the present tense of their verb. 3(b) and 3(a) sub-clauses merged, provisions remain the same. 5(a) re-worded.

Old Intro Clause 1: NOTICING that several states in the multiverse allow for their citizens to vote while not resident in the nation they hold citizenship in,

Old Intro Clause 3: BELIEVING that the World Assembly ought to create and uphold uniform standards for elections held for overseas electors so that any concerns may be rectified, hereby:

1.a.i: “Eligible voter” as a citizen, registered to vote, of a nation who has fulfilled all the requirements in national law in order to vote,

Old end to clause 2: take steps to ensure uniform electoral administration by ensuring the following conditions are available;

2: ”national election” changed to “the national electorate” in clause 4(b).

1: New clause 4 added. Clause 4 becomes clause 5 as a result. New clause 6 added.

[Imperium Anglorum]

This resolution could be shortened substantially and also be made substantially more clear by discarding UN style and adopting statute style.

[Boston Castle]

This resolution could be shortened substantially and also be made substantially more clear by discarding UN style and adopting statute style.

I’m going to take this into account, but be aware that as this is the first time I’m making this transition, it’s going to be a bit tricky and may not happen ASAP.

[Boston Castle]

OOC: Bump. Hopefully today’s edits have made it somewhat clearer.

[Boston Castle]

24 hours and no feedback. Bump.

[Honeydewistania]

Feedback: Stop bumpspamming until you write this in statute form

[Bananaistan]

OOC: What’s the problem with the format? It’s a series of operative clauses just like any resolution.

[Boston Castle]

OOC: What’s the problem with the format? It’s a series of operative clauses just like any resolution.

I honestly don’t know. I’m happy with it as is.

Feedback: Stop bumpspamming until you write this in statute form

24 hours is perfectly reasonable, especially if this is the only thing I’m working on at present.

[Bananaistan]

Feedback: Stop bumpspamming until you write this in statute form

24 hours is perfectly reasonable, especially if this is the only thing I’m working on at present.

OOC: I understood that the proposal dropping off the front page is the standard.

IC: “Entirely opposed as we always are to proposals letting various dictatorships have a say in how elections in other nations are run.”

[Boston Castle]

OOC: While I appreciate IA’s comments on this draft, I have no problems with the resolution at current in terms of format. Unless more of y’all say it’s a dealbreaker, and notwithstanding any vicious attacks on the content that haven’t been forthcoming (like illegalities, not just “I don’t support this”), I’ll be submitting this Wednesday.

[Kenmoria]

“Clauses 2a and 4 appear to self-contradict. Perhaps the Castellian delegation could clarify?”

(OOC: I don’t have an issue with the formatting. Statute style could shorten it, but you aren’t anywhere near the character limit, so it doesn’t seem to be an issue.)

[Bananaistan]

OOC: You've had virtually no feedback yet, the proposal needs a lot of work. What exactly is the rush?

The General Assembly,

NOTICING that without the ability to vote while not in one’s home nation, citizens of a nation may be intentionally or unintentionally excluded from the political process, Yes, this is perfectly reasonable - no representation without taxation.

DECRYING that the lack of uniform standards for the administration of elections for overseas electors might have deleterious effects on national election administration, hereby: Why? This body cannot mandate every nation has elections. Why should it concern itself with how elections are run and, most importantly, what is the justification for allowing dictatorships have a say in how democratic nations run their domestic democracy?

1. Defines the following terms for the purposes of this law;
   
   
   1. ”Overseas voter” as a citizen, who is registered to vote, of a nation which allows registered voters who are overseas to participate in national elections who has fulfilled all the requirements in national law in order to vote,
      
   2. ”Electorate” as the sum of all eligible voters, The electorate is not just a number.
      
   3. ”Constituency” as the divisions used by a national elections commission, or other legal authority with the binding authority to draw electoral boundaries, to elect members of a legislature or other bodies; Does this need a definition? It's a common enough and easily understood word.
2. Mandates that member nations;
   
   
   1. Standardize voting requirements, such as presenting identification, between eligible voters resident in the nation an overseas voter wishes to vote in and overseas voters, It is entirely reasonable to have different requirements for overseas voters given those at home just pop into their local poling station where they might be well known versus, say, a posted ballot which could be from who knows.
      
   2. Harmonize hours of polling places, in this case consulates, embassies, or other sites as designated by national election officials, to ensure that overseas voters have the ability to cast their ballot, So people on the other side of the planet should vote in the middle of the night?
      
   3. Reform counting standards so that votes can be scrutinized, counted, and released in compliance with previously standing legislation; What?
3. Further mandates that nations regulate which boundaries overseas voters will vote under in elections, should they exist, noting that; Why?
   
   
   1. Member nations may create or utilize “overseas constituencies” if they wish to for national elections, Why only national elections? And why does this need to be mentioned anyway?
   2. The registration of voters in local or regional elections should be tied to the last locality or local authority they resided in or the locality or authority of last residence of the relative that they obtained citizenship from; Whatever about national elections, what justification is their for mandating people who fucked off out of country to also vote in local elections? And not only that, but you'd mandate people vote in elections for some county council that have no connection to whatsoever.
4. Instructs member nations to inform overseas voters what special requirements there are for overseas voters in terms of ballot receipt or security; How can there be special requirements when you have section 2a banning special requirements?
   
5. Requires that member states take steps to facilitate the participation of overseas voters in the elections of their home nations; Absolutely not. No representation without taxation. But also the same bugbear about the WA mandating anything to do with elections. And forcing overseas voting on nations is bonkers. What's the justification for this, why can't member states decide for themselves if they want to allow for overseas voting?
   
6. Asserts that member states ought to take the following steps in order to ensure overseas voters have the ability to vote in their nation of citizenship;
   
   
   1. Organize an effective method to ensure that all eligible overseas voters have the opportunity to vote, including using a postal service to facilitate voting or using consular or embassy facilities as polling places, No. We won't be organising other nations elections for them. The Bananamen postal service is open for anyone to use.
      
   2. Organize counting centers for collated overseas votes that are able to follow the same timeline for counting as the national electorate and take into account any special requirements that are created under the terms of this law, though, We won't be getting up in the middle of night to organise Farawayistan's elections for them. Also, what exactly is a collated overseas vote?
      
      
      1. Noting that member nations may choose to require receipt of overseas voters’ votes earlier than normal ballots would be received nationally, so that those votes can be counted, scrutinized, and returned on the same timeline as other voters' ballots are; You've already outlawed this above.
7. Clarifies that this resolution only applies to nations where elections are held.

Regarding post. Watch for contradiction with GAR#73.

[Boston Castle]

OOC: You've had virtually no feedback yet, the proposal needs a lot of work. What exactly is the rush?

The General Assembly,

NOTICING that without the ability to vote while not in one’s home nation, citizens of a nation may be intentionally or unintentionally excluded from the political process, Yes, this is perfectly reasonable - no representation without taxation.

DECRYING that the lack of uniform standards for the administration of elections for overseas electors might have deleterious effects on national election administration, hereby: Why? This body cannot mandate every nation has elections. Why should it concern itself with how elections are run and, most importantly, what is the justification for allowing dictatorships have a say in how democratic nations run their domestic democracy?

1. Defines the following terms for the purposes of this law;
   
   
   1. ”Overseas voter” as a citizen, who is registered to vote, of a nation which allows registered voters who are overseas to participate in national elections who has fulfilled all the requirements in national law in order to vote,
      
   2. ”Electorate” as the sum of all eligible voters, The electorate is not just a number.
      
   3. ”Constituency” as the divisions used by a national elections commission, or other legal authority with the binding authority to draw electoral boundaries, to elect members of a legislature or other bodies; Does this need a definition? It's a common enough and easily understood word.
2. Mandates that member nations;
   
   
   1. Standardize voting requirements, such as presenting identification, between eligible voters resident in the nation an overseas voter wishes to vote in and overseas voters, It is entirely reasonable to have different requirements for overseas voters given those at home just pop into their local poling station where they might be well known versus, say, a posted ballot which could be from who knows.
      
   2. Harmonize hours of polling places, in this case consulates, embassies, or other sites as designated by national election officials, to ensure that overseas voters have the ability to cast their ballot, So people on the other side of the planet should vote in the middle of the night?
      
   3. Reform counting standards so that votes can be scrutinized, counted, and released in compliance with previously standing legislation; What?
3. Further mandates that nations regulate which boundaries overseas voters will vote under in elections, should they exist, noting that; Why?
   
   
   1. Member nations may create or utilize “overseas constituencies” if they wish to for national elections, Why only national elections? And why does this need to be mentioned anyway?
   2. The registration of voters in local or regional elections should be tied to the last locality or local authority they resided in or the locality or authority of last residence of the relative that they obtained citizenship from; Whatever about national elections, what justification is their for mandating people who fucked off out of country to also vote in local elections? And not only that, but you'd mandate people vote in elections for some county council that have no connection to whatsoever.
4. Instructs member nations to inform overseas voters what special requirements there are for overseas voters in terms of ballot receipt or security; How can there be special requirements when you have section 2a banning special requirements?
   
5. Requires that member states take steps to facilitate the participation of overseas voters in the elections of their home nations; Absolutely not. No representation without taxation. But also the same bugbear about the WA mandating anything to do with elections. And forcing overseas voting on nations is bonkers. What's the justification for this, why can't member states decide for themselves if they want to allow for overseas voting?
   
6. Asserts that member states ought to take the following steps in order to ensure overseas voters have the ability to vote in their nation of citizenship;
   
   
   1. Organize an effective method to ensure that all eligible overseas voters have the opportunity to vote, including using a postal service to facilitate voting or using consular or embassy facilities as polling places, No. We won't be organising other nations elections for them. The Bananamen postal service is open for anyone to use.
      
   2. Organize counting centers for collated overseas votes that are able to follow the same timeline for counting as the national electorate and take into account any special requirements that are created under the terms of this law, though, We won't be getting up in the middle of night to organise Farawayistan's elections for them. Also, what exactly is a collated overseas vote?
      
      
      1. Noting that member nations may choose to require receipt of overseas voters’ votes earlier than normal ballots would be received nationally, so that those votes can be counted, scrutinized, and returned on the same timeline as other voters' ballots are; You've already outlawed this above.
7. Clarifies that this resolution only applies to nations where elections are held.

Regarding post. Watch for contradiction with GAR#73.

OOC: THANK YOU!!!!! This is what I wanted. Not so much a rush as saying “if no one has anything to say, then clearly this is ready to go.”

Will address these later. Thanks again!

[Refuge Isle]

Not so much a rush as saying “if no one has anything to say, then clearly this is ready to go.”

Will address these later. Thanks again!

Not commenting on the content, but I can relate to the sentiment.

If I can convey my own recommendation on this, I would look over your proposal text once. Wait a day or two, look over it again. See if what you wrote still makes sense to you, see if it still flows well. If there's any changes you feel need to be made, go ahead and make those changes and repeat the process. If, after several days, you keep reading over your proposal and nothing sticks out, meaning if you go the length of one or two of those review cycles and make no changes, then it's ready for submission. IMO no one should ever turn in a draft that was edited the same day it was submitted.

People's schedules are varied, so commentary won't always be available when you really want it to be, but no one should be in a rush. If a proposal sits in drafting for a few weeks to a month or two that's not at all out of the ordinary.

We've got the time.

[Boston Castle]

~snip~

1. (Joke) I guess one could say the opposite too.

2. I don’t understand this argument too well. It’s the same logic that allows the UN Human Rights Council irl to pass judgement on the west and include human rights luminaries like Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China. In the same way, I don’t think this res has ever required members to have elections (see clause 7).

3. That is the dictionary definition, surprisingly. If you have a better one (not taunting, asking), I’d love to hear it.

4. I completely agree, it can and will be eliminated.

5. I see your point, can and will be eliminated.

6. Will add the qualifier “in the local time of the area”. My intent there was, to use an RL example, to say that polls for, say, an Italian election, if in-person voting is held, in Australia would be held during the local hours that polls would be open nationally.

(Surely there’s a better way to word it. I mean to say: if polls in Italy are open from 6 AM-10 PM nationally, those must be the hours in Australia ON Australian time.)

7. Included due to a potential contradiction with GAR #130. It required stuff regarding uniform counting standards.

8. (Covering the whole of clause 3 and 3(b) I thought this was necessary to mention, precisely to give states latitude in providing Rep. for overseas electors.

9. (3.b) Point taken. Upon further research, turns out this is actually a new grant and I see why we could/should/would be reticent to grant it.

10. 4 should be fixed now that 2(a) is eliminated, so as for clause 5, I included that for you. But as for your qualm, the GA passed GAR #130 and I’d argue that’s much broader in scope than this.

11. Could probably make that clearer in clause 6. Intention was to say “nation with the election”. Not to say that Boston Castle must make provision for counting centers for Bananaistanian elections or vice versa.

12. As I said above 2(a)‘s elimination should make 6(b)(I) fine.

Edit: edits made

[Boston Castle]

“Clauses 2a and 4 appear to self-contradict. Perhaps the Castellian delegation could clarify?”

(OOC: I don’t have an issue with the formatting. Statute style could shorten it, but you aren’t anywhere near the character limit, so it doesn’t seem to be an issue.)

“Thank you for your contribution, Ambassador. The Bananaistanian delegation pointed out the same error and as such 2(a) has been eliminated in favor of clause 4.”

OOC Edit: the old 2(a), see edits post for that.