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 law on 15 February 2020.


==Composition==
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.
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.  


These seven, at the time of the convention, were:
==Previous Conventions==
* [[Grand Duke Travis]] - ''Chairman''
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; background:white; border:#01796f solid;"
* [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Prime Minister Jordan Farmer]] - ''Vice-Chairman''
|-
* Princess Rebecca, Duchess of [[Rockefeller Plateau|Rockefeller]]
! # || From || Result || Signed into Law || Members
* [[Duke of Waesche|Duke Wolf of Waesche]]
|-
* Duchess Dany-el of [[Hanessian Foreland|Hanessian]]
| <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>; [[Duke of the Bear Peninsula|Jordan Farmer]] <small>(as Prime Minister)</small>; Princess Rebecca, Duchess of Rockefeller; [[Duke of Waesche|Duke Wolf of Waesche]]; Duchess Dany-el of Hanessian; Sir Christian Seitz; [[Christine McPhee]]
* Sir Christian Seitz
|-
* [[Christine McPhee]]
| <center>Second</center> || <center>3 December 2020 - 12 January 2021</center> || <center>CA-2021-001</center> || <center>8 February 2021</center> || Grand Duke Travis <small>(as Sovereign)</small>; Jordan Farmer]] <small>(as Prime Minister)</small>; [[David Chase Callahan]] <small>(as a Justice of the Grand Ducal Court)</small>; [[Duke of Fox Grove|Duke August of Fox Grove]]; Baronet Brendan of Woodwin; Kristina Sullivan; Sophie Meis; Countess Danni of Carter <small>(replaced mid-convention)</small> Duke Wolf of Waesche <small>(replacement member)</small>
|}


==Process==
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 was hosted in a private online forum. Each topic, called an "article" was introduced for discussion individually, with up to four articles open at any time. Each topic was open until a week had passed or everyone had given their opinion on the matter, whichever occurred first. During this window, all seven members were free to ask questions, raise concerns, and suggest changes. After any changes were made and discussion either completed or stalled, a vote was held of the members (minus the Grand Duke). Four of the six votes were needed for a majority. Once a measure passed the vote, the Grand Duke approved or rejected the measure as it stood. In total, 83 articles were approved for inclusion in the initial constitution. The final article was approved by the convention on 28 August 2019. Altogether, more than 1700 posts and comments occurred across more than 70 different threads.
The convention was formally concluded on 30 August 2019. The citizens of Westarctica will vote to ratify the constitution during a voting weekend to be held the first weekend of February 2020. Upon successful ratification, the Grand Duke and Prime Minister will sign the constitution into law.
==Aftermath of the Convention==
For their efforts, Grand Duke Travis bestowed the following recognition:
* As all seven were members of the [[Westarctica Civilian Corps]], they each received a Civilian Corps Commendation ribbon.
* All members except the Grand Duke and Prime Minister were named an [[Honored Westarctican Awards|Honored Volunteer of Westarctica]].
* Additionally, Prime Minister Farmer gave the five non-chair members a [[Prime Minister challenge coin]], as a personal thank you.
* Duke Wolf was named a Knight in the newly created [[Illustrious Antarctic Order of the Orca]], due in part to his work with the convention.
* Duchess Dany-el's [[Peerage of Westarctica|Life Peerages]] was transferred to a Hereditary Peerage.
* Sir Christian was invested with the hereditary title of Baron of [[Hadley Point|Hadley]], in part for his work with the convention.
* Christine McPhee was named a Dame in the [[Order of the Snowflake]], in recognition for her work with the convention. She would eventually go on to serve as the first Chief Justice of the [[Grand Ducal Court]], due largely to the interactions on legal matters she had in the convention and the impression they made on Grand Duke Travis and Prime Minister Farmer.
* Prime Minister Farmer was named a Knight in the Illustrious Antarctic Order of the Orca and made [[Principality of Rhye|Prince of Rhye]] in the [[Calsahara|Colony of Calsahara's]] [[Nobility of Calsahara|Peerage]]. Both of these were only in part due to his work with the convention.


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

Revision as of 02:12, 23 February 2021

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.

Previous Conventions

# From Result Signed into Law 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)
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