Wintreath Election Results
April 2014 Underhused and Riksråd Elections
And that's the end to easily the most hotly contested, active, and vibrant elections in Wintreath's short history! In the end, a total of 23 votes were cast, breaking the previous record of 21 votes made during our December elections. A number of factors contributed to the success of the elections...the decision to open appointed positions to election, the great variety of candidates, and the many different views expressed during debates, in particular the debate surrounding foreign affairs. It would appear that in spite of our status as a Monarchy, democracy is alive and doing well in our region. I can only hope that all our future elections are this exciting...or even more exciting!
Riksråd Elections
It was decided that in addition to the regular Underhusen elections, a number of appointed positions in the Riksråd, Wintreath's regional Cabinet, would be opened to a one-time special election in order to fill vacancies. While the campaigns for Jarl of Culture and Jarl of Information were very peaceful, the campaign for Jarl of Foreign Affairs was hotly contended, with debates breaking out on everything from the role of forum embassies to our regionalist status to relations with certain regions. In particular, comments made by Jarl of Foreign Affairs candidate Govindia regarding the Global Right Alliance raised the ire of that region, resulting in a formal protest being posted to their embassy with Wintreath in what could perhaps be called the most high-profile moment of the election.
Regardless, all the Jarlships were won by decent margins, and the winners will take office immediately.
Jarl of Culture
Drexyl Nox - 16
Reon - 6
Govindia - 1
Jarl of Foreign Affairs
Horse - 17
Chanku - 5
Harry McClain - 1
Govindia - 0
Jarl of Information
Chanku - 21
Govindia - 1
Abstain - 1
Underhusen Elections
The race for the regional Underhusen (lower legislative chamber) was easily
the most contested race in Wintreath's history. As the person in charge of overseeing the vote, I can say that the results seemed to change with every vote. People who would have won just 24 hours ago didn't win now and vice-versa. This is really a race that came down to the wire. At the end of the day, Ceardia, Weissreich, Chanku, and Alterra have won positions outright, while Drexyl Nox and BlackTudorRose will need to proceed to a run-off vote to determine who will win the remaining open seat.
Ceardia - 20
Weissreich - 18
Chanku - 16
Alterra - 14
Drexyl Nox - 12
BlackTudorRose - 12
Old_Namibia - 11
Harry McClain - 6
Govindia - 3
Abstain - 3
Ratification of the Royal Titles and Styles Amendment Act
By coincidence, the regular election coincided with a special election to ratify the Royal Titles and Styles Amendment Act, a bill proposed last month by Charax before his departure from NationStates with the intent to normalize the titles and styles of the Monarchy. The Act required a Constitutional Amendment because it also updates a reference to the Monarch made in the Preamble of the Fundamental Laws. Like so many other things in this election, the Act was more hotly contested than expected, with one person voting "Oh Sieg HELL No". Regardless, the Act managed to gather enough votes to pass through.
Aye - 15
Nay - 4
Abstain - 4
Appointments to the Overhusen
In addition to regional elections, this is also the point where I announce appointments to the Overhusen, our legislative upper chamber, for the next term. For this term, I have decided to reappoint Butterspring and Reon, who did a great job in their positions last term, as well as Denth Rowan, who decided to retire as Speaker of the Underhusen after two terms in that role and will be assuming the role of Chairman of the Overhusen. I will also be keeping my voting position, but considering Denth's experience leading a legislative chamber, I feel like now is the best time yet to step down from the Chairman postion. I'm sure he'll do as wonderfully as Chairman as he did as Speaker.
Chairman: Denth Rowan
Peer: Wintermoot
Peer: Butterspring
Peer: Reon
In my opinion, this has been one of the most exciting times to be a part of Wintreath yet, and I can't wait to see what comes from the people who are now part of our government. I can only hope that this is the spark that will ignite and propel our region to even greater heights than it has seen thus far! Sincerely, thank you to everyone that took the time to run for office, and to everyone that casted a ballot and was part of the process. This election can be rightly called a victory for the region and everybody that was a part of it.
