If in the future I ever have more time and energy I'd love to assist in expanding (and perhaps offer a different perspective on) the history past 2009 (and maybe do some digging into what happened in the Kingdom 2005-2009 as well).

Fwiw, I don't think the census is completely useless.

From what I understand the original point was mostly to give those who would rather express their talossanity in some other way than voting an alternative. The downside of that is that perhaps fewer people vote, the upside is that perhaps more people who don't like politics stick around. I suspect both these effects are rather minor and only concern a small percentage of the population.

In addition, we get some nice statistics, and I was hoping, with Iasons help, to use location data from the census to track citizens who are assigned to the wrong province and provide them the option of changing province. None of this is crucial to our existence, but it's nice, and I think the census hasn't lived up to its full potential yet. (I had hoped to ask mpf at some point in the future to make it so that the SoS can send send out census emails themselves, and maybe change the questions, but I never got around to that.)

The thing about incorrect contact information though is that you will get neither the census nor the ballot when the chancery hasn't got your email and the latter will just always result in a lot more people (namely, politicians that want to be elected) telling you to do something about it. As a result, fixing email addresses has become pretty much a main part of running the election.

Throwing out citizens who vote but dont fill out the census would have a crippling effect I fear.

Compulsory voting on the other hand, I'm not so sure about. There is definitely a good argument for it.

However, perhaps the current system isn't all that bad. It's a bit messier maybe, but mostly it does its job at keeping Talossans on board, without filling the rolls with people who have permanently left Talossa behind.

Fwiw, I don't like non-binding referenda either way, but if we're gonna have one, might as well have some appealing options on there. In the current proposal all three options are bad imho.

Actually, the npw dual head of state thing could probably be added as well.

Quotethe King of Talossa shall be replaced by an elected Head of State.

This should probably be rewritten as we may have an elected Head of State already.

Perhaps:
* The King of Talossa shall be replaced by a regularly elected president.

Additionally, can the following options be added:

* The Hereditary Monarchy shall be restored.
* An Electoral College, which shall be independent of the Ziu, shall be established to nominate future monarchs.

To be fair, sir AD has done a LOT for Talossa, both as a legislator and otherwise.

Scrutiny of our laws is a good thing, even by citizens who don't hold cosa seats. If anything we should have more of it.

(And of course, earlier in the process is always better, but this shouldn't be used to silence anyone or ignore valid comments that happen to be late. It's better that these things get pointed out late than never.)

Edit: wrote this before seeing ADs reply

Anyway, Muhammed, it's not as excited as the real election, but if you're interested, you're very welcome to vote on the Talossan Music Top 20:

https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=381.msg2671#new

Well thanks...

The Chancery does not report to the nimlet, yet without consultation you wrote a provincial law telling the Chancery what to do. Nothing is stopping you from going to the CpI if you think I'm breaking the OrgLaw. I've tried to explain my perspective on this. Fine if you disagree with my interpretation, but please don't call me obnoxious.

(Edit: I'm fine with stubborn though)

Either way, I would advise anyone to take some time to figure out the main political issues and understand more about how Talossa works before joining a party.

(Btw, also, this: http://wiki.talossa.com/Broosking Not saying anyone is doing that here, but I hope it's still something people are cautious about.)

Finding more Talossans on facebook is a good idea for any new citizen though. There is a semi-active witt facebook group that should probably be used more.

Quote from: Açafat del Val on August 02, 2020, 10:14:52 AM
once I joined a political party, I suddenly had access to an active and responsive network of Talossans.

It's probably true that joining a political party is the fastest way to join a network. The sad thing is that this usually results in citizens joining parties not out of ideological agreement (or even understanding of the issues), but for networking purposes. Especially when there is one dominant party this creates a positive feedback loop that can be really suffocate political diversity. This was very much true in the RUMP days (and to be honest, I think Talossan political life is a lot more similar to the RUMP era than it was say 5 years ago, for multiple reasons) Also, it means that its harder for anyone not immediately interested in politics to fit in.

Anyway, congratulations to the winning senate candidates, the FreeDems for gaining seats and remaining the largest party, the LCC for a very strong debut, the NPW for gaining seats as well, and to all the sponsors of the various amendments.

Quote from: Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on August 01, 2020, 07:31:24 PM

All referenda pass.  Can't actual ever recall a referendum failing, actually.

It probably helped that no party (or monarch) bothered to submit opposing ballot statements to any of them. Less active voters will only have seen the supporting argument on the ballot.

Fellow Talossans,

yesterday I informed the Seneschal and His Majesty of my intent to resign as Secretary of State.
I will not leave immediately, but will stay on my post until the election results have been certified by the Electoral Commission.

During my time as Secretary of State, we managed to get more comprehensive election rules, set precedents on a number of matters, including the correct enforcement of the laws surrounding write-in parties, and managed to draft a new wittiquette for the new forum.

However, there are also a number of things I had hoped to achieve, but never got around to, most notably including a further expansion of chancery staff, reform of the hopper, and a completed witt moderation guide. Perhaps a future SoS will be more succesful in these regards.

Many thanks are due to Marti-Pair Furxheir. Doing this job simply would not be possible without his continued efforts on the Talossan database.

When I became SoS I renounced my party membership, including access to party fora and discussion groups. I have also tried to refrain from making any public partisan comments, especially during election season. This has been a source of frustration at times, and I will be relieved to speak more freely from now on. Even so, I don't regret it as it is important that the referee of Talossan democracy should not be seen to have any partisan allegiance. I can only strongly advise my successor to do the same.

During the coming weeks I will try to assist my successor as much as possible with their new task.
Afterwards I will finish the Talossan Music Top 20 (which I hope many people will participate in) and then most likely take a temporary break from Talossa.

It was a priviledge serving this Kingdom as Secretary of State.

¡Sa viva el Regeu! ¡Sa viva Talossa!

Glüc da Dhi

From my very quick count if Sir XPB had voted for himself (or if S;reu Tamoran hadn't), he'd have won, but now it's probably the other way round. (This post is not the actual preliminary result obviously, too tired to post those today)

We're now 1 vote ahead of the 53rd Cosa election.