[Amendment] Magistrate Election bill

[Каие]

proposer: ЯoMe ♠ kb8
supporters: Garbarsardar, Mimirswell, Augustus Lucifer,

I propose to set a term limit for magistrates and open up this role for citizens to pursue as a prerequisite to a role as Tribune in the future should they be good enough, experienced enough and trusted enough by the Hex. The fact remains this system is currently completely messed up. The last magistrates election was months ago, and I know at least one of them has been AWOL since November yet there has been no re-election, no update, nothing. Magistrates also often do very little or nothing at all in terms of their role in the Tribunal. There should be a streamlined system, it is a curial office and therefore should be subject to the Curial approval and have a term limit.

Magistrate election Bill

The following amendment should be made:

Article III. Judges

To serve on the Tribunal, a panel of two Tribunes is appointed by the Hexagon Council. Tribunes can only be drawn from the ranks of those with at least a Silver Moderator's Mace or from those who have served as Magistrate.

In addition, three Magistrates shall be elected, one every two months for 6 month terms, by the procedure in Section II, Article II. Applicants cannot have received a warning in at least one year.

Magistrates rotate as an acting Tribune, each deciding one of every three cases. Should a Tribune recuse themselves, the Tribune chooses one of the two other Magistrates to vote in their stead. Magistrates are terminated by a unanimous vote of the Tribunes.

This law does not go into effect until the next Tribune resigns or is terminated. Upon this occurrence, an election of Magistrates shall be held with the candidate having the highest voting percentage serving for 6 months, the second highest for 4 months and the third highest for 2 months.

[Mithrandir]

A recurring Magistrate election seems like a good idea to me. You have my support.

[Augustus Lucifer]

I think I supported this last time. Anyways, I'll support it this time. Nothing to be lost by making it a fluid position, it is a Curial office and all other Curial offices are fluid, so the only argument for keeping no term limits is curious in that people always complain about stagnancy in the CdeC.

[Celsius]

SUPPORT

One of the few things I support that you support Rome

[Каие]

SUPPORT

One of the few things I do support that you support Rome

There's a first time for everything!

[Bokks]

I support, though it's hardly necessary.

I'd say that this'll help provide open opportunities for members interested in our judicial areas of the site. ... not that they weren't able to before, but this makes it "more betterer"

[Justinian]

I wholeheartedly support. The wording needs to be clarified a bit though.

In addition, there shall be a panel of four Magistrates to be elected by the Curia to six month terms. Elections will be held every three months, each for two Magistrate seats.

It's hard to say concisely, but something like that.

[Acco]

Support.

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

Just a quick question: what are the current terms (innings) of Tribunes and Magistrates?

[Justinian]

Just a quick question: what are the current terms (innings) of Tribunes and Magistrates?

They are elected "for life" (until removal or resignation), like the US Supreme Court.

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

They are elected "for life" (until removal or resignation), like the US Supreme Court.

That's new to me.

I wholeheartedly support then. Checks and balances are needed to limit the power of elected officers. I would also support the election of Tribunes by the Curia for limited terms, but I don't think Hex wouldn't veto this.

[Hunter Makoy]

Just a quick question: what are the current terms (innings) of Tribunes and Magistrates?

you mean in case this is a baseball game?

Anyway, Rome, you have my support (base hit).

[Viking Prince]

So many supporting and no one in opposition. Hmmm.

Support.

[Каие]

Or in Senno's case complete AWOL, yet no new elections....

[Каие]

yeah Tribunes should be appointed like Moderators, too many secrets and things, but magistrates are just assistants who learn the ropes and can be groomed for the future and that inevitable time when Hotspur retires....

[Hotspur]

yeah Tribunes should be appointed like Moderators, too many secrets and things, but magistrates are just assistants who learn the ropes and can be groomed for the future and that inevitable time when Hotspur retires....

Trax is the old man of the Tribunal...

[Plutarch]

fully supported,

[Каие]

Trax is the old man of the Tribunal...

The GOM?

[Mímirswell]

I think a more fundamental flaw is the Magistrate is a rarely required position and thus, Magistrates become easily bored with constantly checking the Tribunal to see if they are required. Instead, I would replace the system as follows:

Article III. Judges

To serve on the Tribunal, a panel of two Tribunes is appointed by the Hexagon Council. Tribunes can only be drawn from the ranks of those with at least a Silver Moderator's Mace or from those who have served as Magistrate.

In addition, three Magistrates shall be elected, one every two months for 6 month terms, by the procedure in Section II, Article II. Applicants cannot have received a warning in at least one year.

Magistrates rotate as an acting Tribune, each deciding one of every three cases. Should a Tribune recuse themselves, the Tribune chooses one of the two other Magistrates to vote in their stead. Magistrates are terminated by a unanimous vote of the Tribunes.

This law does not go into effect until the next Tribune resigns or is terminated. Upon this occurrence, an election of Magistrates shall be held with the candidate having the highest voting percentage serving for 6 months, the second highest for 4 months and the third highest for 2 months.

This allows for more real experience and a reason to check the Tribunal forum daily (or at least every other day).

[Squid]

Article III. Judges

To serve on the Tribunal, a panel of four Tribunes is appointed by the Hexagon Council. Tribunes can only be drawn from the ranks of those with at least a Silver Moderator's Mace or from those who have served as Magistrate.

In addition, three Magistrates shall be elected, one every two months for 6 month terms, by the procedure in Section II, Article II. Applicants cannot have received a warning in at least one year.

Magistrates rotate as an acting Tribune, each deciding one of every three cases. Should a Tribune recuse themselves, the Tribune chooses one of the two other Magistrates to vote in their stead. Magistrates are terminated by a unanimous vote of the Tribunes.

The election of magistrates will commence immediately following the passing of this bill, with the candidate having the highest voting percentage serving for 6 months, the second highest for 4 months and the third highest for 2 months. In addition hex shall appoint a 4th Tribune.

This allows for more real experience and a reason to check the Tribunal forum daily (or at least every other day).

I'd make the above change to Mims proposal because this way there is less of a chance of a tribunal case being decided by the inexperience of a Magistrate. They will be significantly more involved in the process than now, but will have a smaller ability to sway tribunal decisions than Mims proposal. In addition with 4 tribunes the turnover of a single tribune will likely be faster, thus allowing Magistrates to move "up" faster, this again would likely make Magistrates more likely to check the Tribunal forum daily.