Difference between revisions of "Constitutional Convention"

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The '''Constitutional Convention''' is a group of seven citizens of [[Westarctica]] directed by [[Grand Duke Travis]] to draft a [[Constitution of Westarctica]] that will serve as the new supreme law of the land and provide guidance for the [[Government of Westarctica]].
A '''Constitutional Convention''' is process by which [[Constitution of Westarctica|constitutional]] changes are decided upon prior to going through the ratification process. Two such conventions have been held, thus far.


==History==
==History==
The members of the Convention were selected by the [[Grand Duke of Westarctica|Grand Duke]] on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|Prime Minister]]. The final selection was made on 9 April 2019 and was announced during a meeting of the [[Royal Council]] on 13 April 2019.
The [[First Constitutional Convention]] was called on 13 April 2019, lasting until 30 August of that year. This convention would establish much of the rules, processes, and traditions for future constitutional conventions. This convention resulted in the final draft of the constitution, which was signed into [[Laws of Westarctica|law]] on 15 February 2020.


==Composition==
A second convention was held from 3 December 2020 to 12 January 2021, resulting in the first [[Constitutional Amendments|constitutional amendment]], CA-2021-001, which was signed into law on 8 February 2021. This resulted in a number of changes to the constitution, including the creation of the role of Deputy Prime Minister.
In creating the Convention, the Grand Duke expressed a desire to draw from as wide a range as possible of Westarcticans. Reflecting this philosophy, His Royal Highness selected a member of the Old Guard, two members of the [[Royal Council]], two members of the [[Peerage of Westarctica]], a [[Order of the Snowflake|Knight of the Snowflake]], and two common citizens.


* [[Grand Duke Travis]] - ''Chairman''
The third convention was held from 11 November 2021 to 18 January 2022, which tured out CA-2022-001, which made a number of changes to the constitution that added the Senate to the government. This was ratified by the citizens on 6 February 2022.
* [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula]] - ''Vice-Chairman''
* [[Duke of Waesche]]
* Princess Rebecca, Duchess of [[Rockefeller Plateau|Rockefeller]]
* Viscountess of [[Melville Point|Melville]]
* Sir Christian Seitz, KtS
* Christine Wood


==Process==
A fourth convention introduced mechanisms for Grand Duke Travis to make a one-time overhaul of the Constitution (within certain parameters), in the interest of government efficiency. This was by far the shortest convention, lasting only seven days. It was ratified by the Senate on 4 January 2025.
Before the main portion of the convention kicked off, the Grand Duke and Prime Minister worked to create a first draft to be utilized in convention debates on a myriad of topics, from defining Westarctica to government structure to human rights. This draft went through roughly a dozen iterations before the two were prepared to move forward.


The core of the convention is hosted in a private online forum. Each topic, called an "article" is introduced for discussion individually, with up to four articles open at any time. Each topic is open until a week has passed or everyone has given their opinion on the matter, whichever occurs first. During this window, all seven members are free to ask questions, raise concerns, and suggest changes. After any changes are made and discussion is complete, or has stalled, a vote is held of the members (minus the Grand Duke). Four of the six votes are needed for a majority. Once a measure passes the vote, the Grand Duke approves or rejects the measure, as it stands.
==Previous Conventions==
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; background:white; border:#01796f solid;"
Upon completion of the formal convention process, the five non-chair members will put their signatures to attest that they approve the document. The Prime Minister will sign to attest that the constitution has passed a ratification vote of the general public (to be held the first weekend of February 2020), with the Grand Duke signing to pass the constitution into law.
|-
! # || From || Result || Effective Date || Members
|-
| <center>[[First Constitutional Convention|First]]</center> || <center>13 April - 30 August 2020</center> || <center>Constitution</center> || <center>15 February 2020</center> ||[[Grand Duke Travis]] <small>(as Sovereign)</small><br>[[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] <small>(as Prime Minister)</small><br>Princess Rebecca, Duchess of [[Rockefeller Plateau|Rockefeller]]<br>[[Duke of Waesche|Duke Wolf of Waesche]]<br>Duchess Dany-el of [[Hanessian Foreland|Hanessian]]<br>Sir Christian Seitz<br> [[Christine McPhee]]
|-
| <center>Second</center> || <center>3 December 2020 - 12 January 2021</center> || <center>[[Constitutional Amendments|CA-2021-001]]</center> || <center>8 February 2021</center> || Grand Duke Travis <small>(as Sovereign)</small><br>[[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] <small>(as Prime Minister)</small><br>[[David Chase Callahan]] <small>(as a Justice of the Grand Ducal Court)</small><br>[[Duke of Fox Grove|Duke August of Fox Grove]]<br>[[Duke of Steventon|Baronet Brendan of Woodwin]]<br>Kristina Sullivan<br>Sophie Meis<br>[[Countess of Carter|Countess Danni of Carter]] <small>(replaced mid-convention)</small><br>Duke Wolf of Waesche <small>(replacement member)</small>
|-
| <center>Third</center> || <center>11 November 2021 - 18 January 2022</center> || <center>CA-2022-001</center> || <center>6 February 2022</center> || Grand Duke Travis <small>(as Sovereign)</small><br>Jordan Farmer <small>(as Prime Minister)</small><br>David Chase Callahan <small>(as a Justice of the Grand Ducal Court)</small><br>Princess Rebecca, Duchess of Rockefeller<br>Duke August of Fox Grove<br>Duchess Dany-el of [[Hanessian Foreland|Hanessian]]<br>Duke Wolf of Waesche<br>Countess Erin of Cloud Ridge<br>Baronet Brendan of Woodwin<br>Kristina Sullivan<br>Sir Christian Seitz
|-
| <center>Fourth</center> || <center>23 - 30 December 2023</center> || <center>CA-2025-001</center> || <center>4 January 2025</center> || Grand Duke Travis <small>(as Sovereign)</small><br>[[Duke of Steventon|Brendan Cook]] <small>(as Prime Minister)</small><br>David Chase Callahan <small>(as a Justice of the Grand Ducal Court)</small><br>Senate Leader Sean Austin<br>Senator Hann Dougie<br>[[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Prince Jordan, Duke of the Bear Peninsula]]<br>Duke August of Fox Grove<br>[[Duke of Tapley|Duke Michael of Tapley]]
|}


[[Category: Law in Westarctica]]
[[Category: Law in Westarctica]]

Latest revision as of 18:53, 16 July 2025

A Constitutional Convention is process by which constitutional changes are decided upon prior to going through the ratification process. Two such conventions have been held, thus far.

History

The First Constitutional Convention was called on 13 April 2019, lasting until 30 August of that year. This convention would establish much of the rules, processes, and traditions for future constitutional conventions. This convention resulted in the final draft of the constitution, which was signed into law on 15 February 2020.

A second convention was held from 3 December 2020 to 12 January 2021, resulting in the first constitutional amendment, CA-2021-001, which was signed into law on 8 February 2021. This resulted in a number of changes to the constitution, including the creation of the role of Deputy Prime Minister.

The third convention was held from 11 November 2021 to 18 January 2022, which tured out CA-2022-001, which made a number of changes to the constitution that added the Senate to the government. This was ratified by the citizens on 6 February 2022.

A fourth convention introduced mechanisms for Grand Duke Travis to make a one-time overhaul of the Constitution (within certain parameters), in the interest of government efficiency. This was by far the shortest convention, lasting only seven days. It was ratified by the Senate on 4 January 2025.

Previous Conventions

# From Result Effective Date Members
First
13 April - 30 August 2020
Constitution
15 February 2020
 Grand Duke Travis (as Sovereign)
Jordan Farmer (as Prime Minister)
Princess Rebecca, Duchess of Rockefeller
Duke Wolf of Waesche
Duchess Dany-el of Hanessian
Sir Christian Seitz
Christine McPhee
Second
3 December 2020 - 12 January 2021
CA-2021-001
8 February 2021
 Grand Duke Travis (as Sovereign)
Jordan Farmer (as Prime Minister)
David Chase Callahan (as a Justice of the Grand Ducal Court)
Duke August of Fox Grove
Baronet Brendan of Woodwin
Kristina Sullivan
Sophie Meis
Countess Danni of Carter (replaced mid-convention)
Duke Wolf of Waesche (replacement member)
Third
11 November 2021 - 18 January 2022
CA-2022-001
6 February 2022
 Grand Duke Travis (as Sovereign)
Jordan Farmer (as Prime Minister)
David Chase Callahan (as a Justice of the Grand Ducal Court)
Princess Rebecca, Duchess of Rockefeller
Duke August of Fox Grove
Duchess Dany-el of Hanessian
Duke Wolf of Waesche
Countess Erin of Cloud Ridge
Baronet Brendan of Woodwin
Kristina Sullivan
Sir Christian Seitz
Fourth
23 - 30 December 2023
CA-2025-001
4 January 2025
 Grand Duke Travis (as Sovereign)
Brendan Cook (as Prime Minister)
David Chase Callahan (as a Justice of the Grand Ducal Court)
Senate Leader Sean Austin
Senator Hann Dougie
Prince Jordan, Duke of the Bear Peninsula
Duke August of Fox Grove
Duke Michael of Tapley
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