Government Constitution

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DemocracyCraft

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PREAMBLE

We the citizens, of the Commonwealth of Redmont, in order to form a more perfect country, establish this Constitution to guarantee the preservation and protection of Justice, promote the general welfare of our citizens, and secure the liberty of our participation in the governance of this country. All citizens and the Government of the Commonwealth of Redmont will abide by these here set principles to play and unite as one country, the Commonwealth of Redmont, hereinafter called Redmont.

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Redmont’s Government has three branches: the Legislative, Executive, and the Judiciary. To ensure the separation of powers doctrine, Individuals can only hold office in one branch. If elected or appointed to Cabinet, a chamber of Congress, or the Courts, they must choose between the new position and their current one.

It's important to note that the Government and the Server Staff have completely different roles and functions.

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PART I - THE CONGRESS

1. Legislative Power

Legislative power is vested in the Congress, consisting of two equal chambers, hereinafter called The Senate and The House of Representatives.

2. Role of Congress
The Congress serves to represent the will of the people and is responsible for debating, creating, removing, and amending laws and rules.

Congress enters ‘caretaker mode’ on the first day of the electoral month.

  • Responsible for the creation, as well as the modification and removal of all server laws.
  • Congress can also change rules in addition to laws, but only rules that affect groups that the government has oversight of.
  • Congress has the ability to amend the Constitution as prescribed by Section V of this Constitution
  • Congress may amend, create, regulate through appropriations, and remove government departments, including the roles and responsibilities they hold, and the positions within them. All of these except regulation through appropriations are complex changes.
  • Congress can override an Executive Order (EO) made by the President by a supermajority vote in both chambers.
  • Congress can override a Presidential veto by supermajority vote in both chambers.
  • Congress can impose, amend, cease, and collect taxes.
  • Congress can check, approve, or deny government spending
  • Congress cannot give themselves power over other branches of Government nor can they take power away from them.
  • Congress cannot override a veto on an appropriations bill.
  • Congress cannot override a veto of a complex change.
  • The Congress shall have the power to originate an Appropriations bill which shall allocate Government funds for specific purposes. Such a bill may be proposed at any time unless otherwise codified in law outside this Constitution.
  • Congress may pass non-binding resolutions as formal requests to the Executive and the Departments. These do not require presidential assent.
  • Congress may vote to remove the President for being unfit for office through the defined impeachment process or the defined process of the President being considered incapacitated.

3. The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives shall consist of 11 citizens, referred to as Representatives (Abbreviated Rep.) who are elected for 2-month terms. The House of Representatives is where all bills originate from.

  • The House of Representatives is responsible for the creation of all bills.
  • The House of Representatives begins the process of overriding a non-complex Presidential veto by a supermajority of votes. Such a motion would then be delivered to the Senate.
  • Congress cannot override a veto of a complex change.
  • Congress cannot give themselves power over other branches of Government nor can they take power away from
  • Can impeach government officials, and ex-government officials no more than 2 months after leaving office, if the actions that led to impeachment happened while in office.
  • The House shall have the power to issue a motion of Censure against any person or group. This has no legal repercussions and is purely a statement of disapproval. Should this motion be specific to the House’s disapproval it does not require Senate approval or Presidential assent. Should this motion seek to represent the whole Congress’s disapproval it must also attain Senate approval but not Presidential assent.
  • The House may create and start a vote on non-binding resolutions. These do not require presidential assent.

4. The Senate
The Senate shall consist of 6 citizens, referred to as Senators (Abbreviated Sen.) who are elected for 4 month terms. The Senate acts as the house of review to the House of Representatives and cannot originate any bills.

The Vice President shall have the power to cast a tie-breaking vote should a tie arise within the Senate, unless otherwise provided.

  • Responsible for reviewing all bills passed by the House of Representatives and voting on them as well as making amendments where they see fit.
  • Approving and overturning motions of no confidence.
  • Responsible for conducting impeachment trials after the house has impeached the official or ex-official, whereby a supermajority is required to decide a verdict. The Senate may appoint a presiding officer in accordance with the Impeachment Act.
  • Responsible for approving and rejecting players nominated by the President for Cabinet and Judicial appointments.
  • The Senate shall have the power to issue a motion of Censure against any person or group. This has no legal repercussions and is purely a statement of disapproval. Should this motion be specific to the Senate’s disapproval it does not require House approval or Presidential assent.
  • The Senate may create and start a vote on non-binding resolutions. These do not require presidential assent.
  • Responsible for approving the signage/revocation/leaving of any treaty in which the Commonwealth of Redmont is involved, after a motion started by the President and through a simple majority vote.

5. Speaker of the House of Representatives
The House shall internally elect a Representative to the role of 'Speaker of the House' whose power it shall be to preside over the House of Representatives and to represent the will of the chamber for the duration of the Congressional session. The Speaker of the House is responsible for maintaining the good order and efficient running of the chamber, as well as chairing meetings, facilitating the voting of bills and all proposed motions, and ensuring the timely passage of Bills to the Senate.

In order to remove the Speaker’s appointment, the Speaker must resign from Speakership or lose to a vote of no confidence (supermajority).
The Speaker’s first order of business is to amend or reaffirm the standing orders of the House of Representatives.

6. President of the Senate
The Senate shall internally elect a senator to the role of 'President of The Senate' whose power it shall be to preside over the Senate and to represent the will of the chamber for the duration of the Congressional session. The President of the Senate is responsible for maintaining the good order and efficient running of the chamber, as well as chairing meetings, facilitating the voting of bills and all proposed motions, and ensuring the timely passage of Bills to the President for ascent.

The Senate is presided over by the President of the Senate, who is responsible for maintaining the good order and efficient running of the chamber, as well as chairing meetings, facilitating the voting of bills, and ensuring the timely passage of Bills to the President for Approval. The Vice President shall have the power to cast a tie-breaking vote should a tie arise.

The President of the Senate can be removed via a vote of no confidence (supermajority).

7. Electoral Terms and Limitations
(1) The Supreme Court of Redmont is to act as the Court of Disputed Returns.
(2) A citizen can only sit in one chamber; Where a citizen is elected to both chambers, it will be that they assume their seat in the Senate and forfeit their Seat in the House of Representatives.
(3) Candidates are to make their official political party affiliations known or if none, opt to run as an independent. Failure to identify a party affiliation will result in the candidate being declared an independent.
(4) Each candidate is to be listed separately on the ballot. If able, with their party in parentheses by their name.
(5) The entirety of Congress enters 'caretaker mode' during an election period (between the 1st-10th day of an electoral month).
(6) False party affiliations will be excluded at the request of the relevant party leader.
(7) All citizens eligible to vote shall be granted one vote.
(8) Political parties cannot sponsor a higher number of candidates than seats that are up to vote.

8. Elections for the House of Representatives
(1) Voting System. Elections for the House of Representatives shall be conducted through a system of preferential single transferrable as outlined in the Electoral Act.
(2) Activity Requirements. In order to run for and maintain their seat in the House of Representatives, citizens need to meet these requirements:
  • Has 12 hours active monthly playtime
  • Has accrued 24 hours playtime prior to declaring their intent to contest the election on the forums.
  • Is an active participant in the community, in-game, on discord, and on the forums.
(3) House of Representatives Duration. 2 Month Term
(4) House of Representatives Election Months. January, March, May, July, September, and November

9. Elections for the Senate
(1) Voting System. Elections for the Senate shall be conducted through a system of single non-transferrable vote as outlined in the Electoral Act.
(2) Classes. The Senate shall be divided into two classes, Class A and Class B.
(a) When the entire Senate is up for election, the highest polling 50% of Senators shall be assigned to Class A while the remaining Senators shall be assigned to Class B.
(3) Activity Requirements. In order to run for and maintain their seat in the Senate, citizens need to meet these requirements:
  • Has 12 hours active monthly playtime
  • Has accrued 72 hours playtime prior to declaring their intent to contest the election on the forums
  • Is an active participant in the community, in-game, on discord, and on the forums.
(4) Senate Duration. 4 Month Term
(5) Senate Election Months:
(7) Class A. January, May, September
(8) Class B. March, July, November

10. Quorums
(1) Quorums apply to all voting conducted in congress.
(2) The quorum when voting shall be dynamic - the majority will be decided based on the total number of those who have voted.
(3) The quorum to make a decision must be no less than 50% of the statutory amount of seats in the chamber.

11. Procedures for the Removal and Replacement of Congress Members
Vacancy, nomination, and special election procedures are highlighted in the Electoral Act.

12. Useful links for the Congress

Members of the Legislative available here:
https://www.democracycraft.net/government/

Congress
Standing Orders
Congressional Process

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PART II - THE COURTS

13. Judicial Power
Judicial power is vested in the court.

14. Role‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Federal‌ ‌Court‌ ‌System‌ ‌of‌ ‌Redmont
The‌ ‌Judicial‌ ‌arm‌ ‌of‌ ‌Government,‌ ‌consisting‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌District‌ ‌Court,‌ ‌Federal Court,‌ ‌and‌ ‌Supreme‌ ‌Court,‌ ‌ interpret‌ ‌the‌ ‌law‌ ‌as‌ ‌written‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌legislature‌ ‌and‌ ‌administered‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌Executive.‌ Lawsuits‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌made to the court as either‌ ‌civil‌ ‌cases‌ ‌(a‌ ‌dispute‌ ‌between‌ ‌two‌ ‌parties,‌ ‌usually‌ ‌seeking‌ ‌compensation)‌ ‌or‌ ‌criminal‌ ‌cases‌ ‌(an‌ ‌appeal‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌state‌ ‌against‌ ‌a‌ ‌charge,‌ ‌or‌ ‌a‌ ‌case‌ ‌filed‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌state‌ ‌regarding‌ ‌a‌ ‌criminal‌ ‌act. i.e. Citizens cannot prosecute).‌ ‌Where‌ ‌there‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌failure‌ ‌to‌ appear,‌ ‌the‌ ‌courts will trial in absentia and ‌will‌ ‌deliver‌ ‌a‌ ‌verdict‌ ‌considering‌ ‌the‌ ‌facts‌ ‌presented‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Court.‌ ‌



DISTRICT COURT

15. Role‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌District‌ ‌Court‌ ‌of‌ ‌Redmont‌ ‌
The‌ ‌District‌ ‌Court‌ of Redmont ‌hear ‌all‌ ‌minor‌ ‌civil‌ ‌and‌ ‌criminal‌ ‌disputes‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌first‌ ‌instance.‌ The District Court is presided over by ‌a‌ ‌single‌ ‌Magistrate‌ ‌under‌ ‌the‌ ‌supervision‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌Judge‌ ‌or‌ ‌Justice.‌ ‌There‌ ‌shall‌ ‌not‌ ‌be‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌three (3)‌ Magistrates ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌District Court of‌ ‌Redmont‌ at‌ ‌any‌ ‌given‌ ‌time.‌

16. Powers‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌District‌ ‌Court‌ ‌
(a) The‌ ‌District‌ ‌Court‌ ‌of‌ ‌Redmont‌ ‌has original jurisdiction over‌:
(i) arrests,
(ii) wrongful‌ ‌seizure,
(‌iii)‌ public official misconduct,
(iv) minor‌ ‌criminal‌ ‌prosecutions‌ ‌that‌ ‌result‌ ‌in‌ ‌jail‌ ‌not‌ ‌exceeding‌ ‌30 minutes‌ ‌(inclusive) or‌ ‌$7500‌ ‌dollars‌ ‌(inclusive) of‌ ‌fines,
(v) minor‌ ‌civil‌ ‌cases‌ ‌whose‌ ‌value‌ ‌does‌ ‌not‌ ‌exceed‌ $40,000 dollars (inclusive).‌



FEDERAL COURT

17. Role‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Federal Court‌ ‌of‌ ‌Redmont‌ ‌
The‌ ‌Federal Court‌ ‌of‌ ‌Redmont‌ ‌hears‌ ‌all‌ ‌major‌ ‌civil‌ ‌and‌ ‌criminal‌ ‌disputes‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌first‌ ‌instance and is‌ ‌the‌ ‌appellate‌ ‌court‌ ‌for‌ ‌verdicts‌ ‌made‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌District‌ ‌Courts‌. The Federal Court is presided over by a single Judge. There‌ ‌shall‌ ‌not‌ ‌be‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌three ‌(3)‌ Judges‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌Federal Court of‌ ‌Redmont‌ ‌at‌ ‌any‌ ‌given‌ ‌time.‌ ‌ ‌

18. Powers‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Federal Court
(a) The‌ ‌Federal ‌Court‌ ‌of‌ ‌Redmont‌ ‌has original jurisdiction over‌:
(i) Questions of constitutionality,
(ii) Major ‌criminal‌ ‌prosecutions‌ ‌that‌ ‌result‌ ‌in‌ ‌jail‌ ‌exceeding‌ ‌30 minutes‌ ‌or‌ ‌$7,500 dollars‌ ‌of‌ ‌fines,
(iii) Major ‌civil‌ ‌cases‌ ‌whose‌ ‌value‌ exceed‌s $40,000 dollars,
(iv) Any cases of significance that do not fit within the established bounds of court jurisdictions.

(b) The Federal Court of Redmont is the appellate court for the District Court of Redmont.

(c) Other powers of the Federal Court of Redmont include:
(i) Issuing warrants‌
(ii) Ordering a ‌party before the Federal Court to ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌lawyer‌ ‌in‌ ‌order‌ ‌to‌ ‌proceed‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌case
(iii) Assuming ‌the‌ ‌responsibilities‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌District‌ ‌Court‌s ‌of‌ ‌Redmont‌ ‌‌when necessary.



SUPREME COURT

19. Role‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Supreme‌ ‌Court‌ ‌
The‌ ‌Supreme‌ ‌Court‌ ‌of‌ ‌Redmont‌ is the highest court in the nation, hearing all final appeals and challenges to removing a public office holder (see s19a(ii)). The Supreme Court is presided over by three Justices. ‌ The Supreme Court is chaired by a Chief Justice who is ‌nominated‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌President‌ ‌and‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌Senate‌. There‌ ‌shall‌ ‌not‌ ‌be‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌three ‌(3)‌ Justices (Chief Justice included) ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌Supreme Court of‌ ‌Redmont‌ ‌at‌ ‌any‌ ‌given‌ ‌time.‌ ‌All available Justices preside over Supreme Court cases and form a majority opinion. Any Justices who do not agree with the majority opinion deliver individual or joint dissenting opinions which are published alongside the majority opinion. A minimum of two (2) Justices in agreement must be met to deliver a verdict on a Supreme Court case, and where there is a disagreement, the Chief Justice's opinion will prevail. The‌ ‌decision‌ ‌of the Supreme Court is‌ ‌final‌ ‌-‌ ‌there‌ ‌are‌ ‌no‌ ‌further‌ ‌appeals‌ ‌once‌ ‌a‌ ‌matter‌ ‌has‌ ‌been‌ ‌decided‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌Supreme‌ ‌Court ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌decision‌ ‌is‌ ‌binding‌ ‌on‌ ‌all‌ ‌other‌ ‌courts.‌ A party can appeal a Supreme Court decision based on a point of law or if a significant amount of new evidence is made available. The appeal must convince the Court that the Justices that heard the original case made an error of law and that the error was of such significance that the decision should be overturned. Some examples of significant errors of law are that the Judge that heard the original case:
  • applied an incorrect principle of law; or
  • made a finding of fact or facts on an important issue which could not be supported by the evidence.
In order to post in the Supreme Court, you must have legal standing (i.e. you are represented by someone who is a lawyer in-game or you are qualified in law in-game yourself) ‌

20. Powers‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Supreme‌ ‌Court‌ ‌
(a) The‌ ‌Supreme Court‌ ‌of‌ ‌Redmont‌ ‌has original jurisdiction over‌:
(i) Removal of officials from Public Office (Judicial Officers, Members of Congress, Members of Cabinet)
(ii) Resolving‌ ‌disputes‌ ‌between‌ ‌Government‌ ‌Institutions

(b) The Supreme Court of Redmont is the appellate court for the Federal Court of Redmont.

(c) Other powers of the Supreme Court of Redmont include:
(i) Ordering a ‌party before the Supreme Court to ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌lawyer‌ ‌in‌ ‌order‌ ‌to‌ ‌proceed‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌case
(ii) Assuming ‌the‌ ‌responsibilities‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌District‌ ‌Court‌s ‌of‌ ‌Redmont‌ ‌‌and Federal Court of Redmont when necessary.





21. Judicial Officers ‌
Judicial Officers is the collective name given to Magistrates, Judges, Justices, and the Chief Justice. Judicial Officers are‌ ‌responsible‌ ‌for‌ ‌presiding‌ ‌over‌ ‌and‌ ‌delivering‌ ‌non-biased‌ ‌verdicts‌ ‌on‌ ‌all‌ ‌lawsuits.‌ ‌Judicial Officers can rule on their Court, or on lower courts if required. Judicial Officers cannot preside over an appeal that they have already ruled on previously in a lower court. Magistrates‌ ‌are‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌appointed‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌Supreme‌ ‌Court‌ ‌to‌ ‌serve‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌District‌ ‌Court.‌ Federal Court Judges,‌ ‌Supreme‌ ‌Court‌ ‌Justices,‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌Chief‌ ‌Justice‌ ‌are‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌nominated‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ President‌ ‌and‌ ‌approved‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌Senate.‌ ‌Where‌ ‌there‌ ‌is‌ ‌no‌ ‌Chief‌ ‌Justice,‌ ‌the‌ ‌most‌ ‌senior‌ ‌Justice‌ ‌is‌ ‌Chief‌ ‌Justice‌ ‌by‌ ‌default‌ ‌until‌ ‌otherwise‌ ‌provided. Judicial Requirements The following requirements exist in order to be nominated to the bench: Chief Justice - has accrued 150 hours and 12 hours of playtime in the last 30 days Justice - has accrued 125 hours and 12 hours of playtime in the last 30 days Judge - has accrued 72 hours and 12 hours of playtime in the last 30 days ‌ If‌ ‌there‌ ‌are‌ ‌no‌ ‌Justices‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌Supreme‌ ‌Court,‌ ‌the‌ ‌President‌ ‌shall‌ ‌have‌ ‌one‌ ‌week‌ ‌to‌ ‌nominate‌ ‌a‌ ‌Justice‌ ‌or‌ ‌Chief‌ ‌Justice.‌

22. Useful links for the Court:

Members of the Judiciary available here:
https://www.democracycraft.net/government/

Supreme Court
Federal Court
District Court
Judicial Library


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PART III - THE PRESIDENT & CABINET

23. Executive Power

Executive power is vested in the President and Cabinet. The Executive branch, consisting of the President, Cabinet, and government departments, administers and enforces the law respectively, as written by the legislature and interpreted by the judiciary.

24. Role of the President
The President is both the Head of State and Head of Government. The President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the law.
  • Grant reprieves and pardons to citizens charged with breaking the law, with the exception of impeachment.
  • The President nominates, appoints, and dismisses members of the Executive Cabinet.
  • Vested in the President is the power to assent to or veto legislation passed by Congress.
  • The President is the chairperson of Cabinet and therefore calls for and adjourns meetings.
  • The President may issue and revoke non-complex Executive Orders for the good governance of the server. The President must issue Executive Orders if and when requested by the Owner.
  • The President also has the power to dissolve the House of Representatives if requested by the Speaker, and the Senate if requested by the President of the Senate.
  • The President and his Departments may not spend government funds in a way that would conflict with appropriations.
  • Department balances may not be less than $0.00. In the event that a Department’s balance reaches $0.00 all spending related to this Department must cease, excluding salaries which will then come from the DCGovernment balance. Neither the Executive nor the Congress shall have the power to cease salaries to any person or group which holds a government position.
  • The President may at any time unless otherwise codified in law outside this Constitution, propose a budget for any individual or multiple departments to the House of Representatives.
  • The President may, at any time and for any reason or no reason at all, remove a Secretary, Principal Officer, or General Advisor from their position. The President may NOT remove any department employee, excluding those that may be removed under the terms of the previous clause, or the Vice President of the Commonwealth of Redmont. The President may advise their Secretaries to fire an employee. In the event that the serving President is simultaneously serving as Secretary, they may fire any employee of the department for which they are Secretary only.
  • The President has the power to sign international treaties, or ask somebody to sign them as the representative of the government. The President is the only person able to decide to revoke/leave any international treaty. The decision of signing, revoking, or leaving a treaty needs to be approved by the Senate through a simple majority vote.
25. Election
The President and Vice President both serve a four-month term, with the election falling in the consecutive month to the most recent Congressional Election. In order to assume office, the Presidential candidate must attain a simple majority.

A Presidential candidate will choose a running mate prior to the electoral ballot, to serve as Vice President.

“In order to run for President, the player needs to meet these requirements:
  • Has been 4 months since the player’s initial join date.
  • Has accrued 300 hours of active playtime and 12 hours of playtime within the last 30 days.
  • Is an active participant in the community, in-game, on discord, and on the forums.
  • At the beginning of every presidential term, all cabinet positions must be nominated/re-nominated and approved by the Senate.
  • An elected president cannot run in a consecutive Presidential election.
In order to run for Vice President, the player needs to meet these requirements:
  • Has accrued 150 hours of active playtime.
  • Has accrued 12 hours of playtime within the last 30 days.
  • Is an active participant in the community, in-game, on discord, and on forums.
  • At the beginning of every presidential term, all cabinet positions must be nominated/re-nominated and approved by the Senate.
  • A Vice President cannot be the last President.”
The Presidential Election shall be conducted through a process of instant runoff Single Transferable Vote. If no candidate receives an outright majority in any Presidential election, a 24-hour runoff election shall be held at the soonest time possible in which only the two highest-voted candidates shall be listed on the ballot. In the event that more than two candidates are tied for first place, all candidates which tied for first place shall be listed. In the event that one candidate received a plurality and multiple candidates tied for second, the highest voted candidate plus all candidates tied for second shall be listed. In the event of a tie during a 2-way runoff, the House shall decide among the runoff presidential candidates the next president and the Senate shall decide among the runoff vice-presidential candidates the next vice president. During this time the incumbent President shall administer the departments.

Immediately following the election, the winner of such will be declared the President-Elect. The incumbent President will remain President until the 15th when the Commencement of the President-Elect's term as President will begin.

26. Order of Succession
In the event that the President is incapacitated, removed from office, or inactive for more than 7 days unannounced, the title of President shall pass in the following order of succession, but lower positions on this order of succession do not rise to fill any vacancies created by this process:
Vice President
Speaker of The House of Representatives
President of the Senate
Secretary of the Department of State.
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Secretary of the Department of Justice.
Secretary of the Department of Commerce.
Secretary of the Department of Public Affairs.
Secretary of the Department of Construction & Transport.
Secretary of the Department of Health.
Secretary of the Department of the Interior.
Secretary of the Department of Education.

27. Role of the Vice President
The Vice President is second to the President and acts as their sole adviser.

Powers of the Vice President
Where the President is unable to fulfill their duties or is absent for an extended period of time, the Vice President assumes the role of President in an Acting capacity, bearing all responsibilities and powers of the President.

In the event that the role of the Vice President becomes vacant, the President shall have the power to nominate a new Vice President which must be confirmed by the Senate.

28. Role of the Cabinet.
The Cabinet is a group of advisers to the President known as secretaries & Executive Officers, who collectively administer and guide government decision-making and policy. The body holds no power outside of department & office policy, instead, it derives its power through advising the President.

1. Responsible for community engagement through events and media.
2. Oversees Government-owned assets, including any cities and towns, plots, apartments, and buildings, as well as the management of the GDP and Government balance.
3. Responsible for changes (not law) in economic systems, transportation systems, and town/city systems.
4. Cabinet can put forward proposals to staff for plugins.
No person shall hold the position of President, Vice President, Secretary, Executive Officer, or any other Principal Officer position simultaneously with a position as Representative or Senator.

29. Secretaries
Secretaries & Executive Officers are members of the cabinet who each lead a government department or portfolio. It is the Secretary's job to oversee the efficient operations of their department and to create and amend department policy in conjunction with the Government's direction. They appoint and dismiss employees of their respective departments. They can rename employee roles and positions at will.

Executive Officers are members of the cabinet who each lead executive offices, it is the Executive Officer's responsibility to oversee the efficient operations of their office and to create and amend office policy in conjunction with the Government's direction. They appoint and dismiss employees of their respective departments.
Executive Offices and Officers are required to remain unbiased, impartial and are required to defend the constitution and the laws of the commonwealth over the will of the current administration and president.

Secretaries & Executive Officers are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate, continuing to serve at the pleasure of the President. A Secretary or Executive officer may be removed from office should they be impeached by the House and removed from office by the Senate.

Presidents-Elect may nominate Secretaries and Executive Officers, still approved by the Senate, preceding their inauguration. These nominees may only take office as Secretaries & Executive Officers following the inauguration of the President-Elect.

The full title of an Executive Officer is their specified title for example the “Attorney General.”

Example: The Attorney General, is responsible for the Office of the Attorney General.

30. Government Departments & Offices
Government Departments, Offices and their employees fall under the executive arm of Government. The current departments & offices are:

a. Department of State (DoS):
(1) The Department of State is charged with the following primary responsibilities:​
(a) Internal auditing and performance of all Government Departments.​
(b) Evaluation and oversight of the Executive.​
(c) Compiling a State of the Commonwealth.​
(d) Administration, facilitation of, and communication with towns, including notification of any laws that may impact towns.​
(e) Foreign relations​
(f) Political party registration​
(g) Facilitation of Federal elections (and other elections as requested), including debates.​
(h) Dedication and establish of national public holidays and any conditions that go with the public holiday.​
(i) Mediating intragovernmental disputes.​
(j) Managing and responding to complaints and reports against executive departments.​
(k) Facilitation of Referendums​
(2) Leadership:​
(a) Secretary of the Department of State​
(b) Deputy Secretary of the Department of State.​

b. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
(1) The Department of Homeland Security is charged with the following primary responsibilities:​
(a) Maintaining the peace and good order of the nation, through lawfully exercising its power equally to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth of Redmont.​
(b) Administration of a Federal impound and providing security to government officials and events.​
(c) Maintaining criminal records​
(d) Providing criminal records upon request (the requesting individual must be party to the record requested) within 7 days.​
(e) Protecting and Defending Redmont and its interests.​
(2) The Department is considered an 'emergency services' provider.​
(3) Leadership:​
(a) Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.​
(b) Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.​
c. Department of Justice (DOJ)
(1) The Department of Justice is charged with the following primary responsibilities:​
(a) Defending the national legal interest.​
(b) Investigating and prosecuting on behalf of the Federal Government.​
(c) Acting ethically and lawfully at the President’s direction.​
(d) Managing Freedom of Information requests.​
(3) Leadership:​
(a) Secretary of the Department of Justice (Attorney General)​
(b) Deputy Secretary of the Department of Justice (Solicitor General)​

d. Department of Commerce (DOC):
(1) The Department of Commerce is charged with the following primary responsibilities:​
(a) Maintaining a prosperous national economic state.​
(b) Advancing employment opportunities and guidelines for occupations.​
(c) Administration of government grants and the registration of companies.​
(d) Enforcing compliance with national corporate standards.​
(3) Leadership:​
(a) Secretary of the Department of Commerce.​
(b) Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce.​
e. Department of Public Affairs (DPA):
(1) The Department of Public Affairs is charged with the following primary responsibilities:​
(a) Advancing the spirit of community.​
(b) Organising and hosting community events.​
(c) Administering national social media accounts.​
(d) Administration of cabinet meetings​
(e) Managing National event calendar (Discord Events Tab).​
(f) Managing bookings for Government recreation facilities.​
(3) Leadership:​
(a) Secretary of the Department of Public Affairs.​
(b) Deputy Secretary of the Department of Public Affairs.​
f. Department of Construction & Transportation (DCT):
(1) The Department of Construction and Transport is charged with the following primary responsibilities:​
(a) Creation of Government infrastructure​
(b) Establishment, maintenance and enforcement of building regulation compliance.​
(c) Management of Public Transport networks.​
(3) Leadership:​
(a) Secretary of the Department of Construction and Transport.​
(b) Deputy Secretary of the Department of Construction and Transport.​
g. Department of Health (DoH):
(1) The Department of Health is charged with the following primary responsibilities:​
(a) Maintenance and upkeep of the national health system.​
(2) The Department is considered an 'emergency services' provider.​
(3) Leadership:​
(a) Secretary of the Department of Health​
(b) Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health.​
h. Department of the Interior (DOI):
(1) The Department of the Interior is charged with the following primary responsibilities:​
(a) Maintaining the natural aesthetic of the nation and surrounding lands through repairing and revitalising the natural landscape, developing natural wonders, and strategically managing and conserving natural resources.​
(b) Regulating farming practices and resource collection.​
(c) Administration of a animal shelters, zoos, urban parks, and national parks.​
(d) Management of a Government Tender program and Supply Depot.​
(2) Leadership:​
(a) Secretary of the Department of the Interior.​
(b) Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior.​
i. Department of Education (DOE):
(1) The Department of Education is charged with the following primary responsibilities:​
(a) Advancing the knowledge, skills, and retention of the people of Redmont through education initiatives and furthering contributions to academia.​
(b) Maintaining a historical national archives to document and preserve national history.​
(2) Leadership:​
(a) Secretary of the Department of Education.​
(b) Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education.​

31. Office of the President:
(1) The President may nominate executive officers - not bound to any department - to assist in the daily operations of the executive branch. The appointments serve at the President's pleasure and are limited to the following positions:
a. 1x Chief of Staff
b. 3x Special Advisor
c. 1x Press Advisor

32. Ambassadors
(1) The President may appoint an ambassador to recognised countries and diplomatic organisations.
(2) Ambassadors work within the Department of State.
(3) Ambassador appointments must be approved by the Senate.
(4) Ambassadors may be subject to impeachment and removal from officer by Congress.

Useful links for the President & Cabinet:

Members of the Executive available here:
https://www.democracycraft.net/government/

Cabinet

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PART IV - RIGHTS & FREEDOMS

33. Rights & Freedoms

The Redmont Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it, subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law that are justified in a free and democratic society.

I. The right to participate in, and run for elected office, unless as punishment for a crime.​
II. The right to vote in elections and referendums, provided the player has:​
a. Been online within 1 month as the votes are counted.​
b. Accrued 6 or more hours of playtime in the last 30 days.​

III. The right to Secret Ballot in elections and referendums.​
IV. All accused are entitled to appeal a charge made against them by the state.​
V. No citizen is to be made to produce self-incriminating evidence in a court of law, Congressional hearing, subpoena, or impeachment trial.​
VI. Freedom of Political Communication.​
VII. Criminals, although broke the law, are still citizens of the server and therefore entitled to their rights.​
VIII. Unless otherwise codified in law outside this Constitution, all players are to be granted Citizenship upon joining the server for the first time.​
IX. Any citizen, criminal or otherwise will have the right to a speedy and fair trial presided over by an impartial Judicial Officer, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, and to be confronted with the evidence against them, and to have the assistance of legally qualified counsel for their defense.​
X. Freedom of the Press and Media​
XI. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly.​
XII. Freedom of Association.​
XIII. Every citizen is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without unfair discrimination and, in particular, without unfair discrimination based on political belief or social status.​
XIV. Every citizen has the right to life, liberty, and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.​
XV. Every citizen has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.​
XVI. No citizen shall be tried or punished again for an offence regarding a single criminal act for which they have already been finally convicted or acquitted of, in accordance with the law.​
XVII. Every citizen has the right to be informed of the reason for a subpoena, detention, or arrest made against them.​

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PART V - CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

34. Changing the Constitution
A constitutional change must satisfy these requirements beyond the normal congressional process when an amendment is in relation to a complex change or a rights and freedoms change:
1. The Department of State, upon the request of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, must pose a referendum on the forums where citizens, over the course of 48 hours, will vote on the proposed amendment, only if the proposed amendment is a Complex Change. Such a referendum must result in at least a supermajority of votes in favor of the amendment to pass.
2. An absolute majority (50%+1) needs to be achieved via public referendum.
3. A supermajority is achieved in both chambers of Congress.
4. Presidential Assent or Veto Override.

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PART VI - STAFF RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT

35. Staff & Government
Network Staff and the Server Manager are the only bridging between Staff and Government.

36. Owner Override
For the Benefit of the server, Network Staff/Server Manager retain the reserve power to completely override any Government decision.

The Network Staff/Server Manager will communicate this override through the President where possible.

Staff override cannot be overturned, however, the Network Staff/Server Manager will work with the President to seek an alternative option.

The the Network Staff/Server Manager will advise the President where requested and or give input into the country’s efficient running and staff workload.

37. Dissolution of a Presidential Administration
The Network Staff/Server Manager can dissolve a Presidential administration and trigger a subsequent election.

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PART VII - DEFINING KEY TERMS

38. Supermajority
A vote of 2/3rds majority.

39. Executive Order
A lawful directive issued by the President in the pursuit of his or her duties. For such directive to be lawful, it must not amend the Constitution or any law outside the Constitution. Executive Orders must only be used as a mechanism by which the President can exert powers expressly granted to the Executive within the Constitution.

40. Complex Change
A complex change includes the following and needs to be discussed with the Owner before being signed by the President:
  • Changes to the System of Government.
  • Plugin-related changes.
  • Changes involving significant staff involvement.
  • A Rights & Freedoms change.
41. Defining System of Government Changes
Any changes that:
  • Affect the distribution of power between different parts and levels of the state.
  • Changes to Government Departments.
  • Significant changes to the system by which the state is governed in general.
42. Veto Override
Where Congress has the power to override a Presidential Veto, a super-majority must be achieved in both chambers of Congress to nullify the Veto, for Presidential Assent to be assumed.
a. Where the Presidential Veto applies to a Constitutional change, an 80% majority (rounded up where not exact) must be achieved in both chambers of Congress to nullify the Veto, for Presidential Assent to be assumed.

43. Congressional Caretaker Mode
(1) The speaker announces caretaker mode on the 1st day of a Congressional election month.
(2) Bills proposed after the announcement of caretaker must:
(a) Be only necessary bills are to be proposed to ensure the efficient running of the Government.
(b) must reach a supermajority in both chambers of Government.
(3) Motions require a supermajority to pass.

44. Impeachment
Impeachment is a constitutional remedy to address serious constitutional offenses. The House will lay charges against an official or an ex-official, specifying what constitutional provisions were violated. Any impeached official or ex-official will be subject to a trial that will be conducted by the Senate. If found guilty of any alleged constitutional offence by the Senate, the official or ex-official in question may be subject to:
  • Immediate removal from office.
  • Ban from elected office for a period of no longer than 2 months.
  • Ban from judicial office for a period of no longer than 2 months.
  • Ban from executive office for a period of no longer than 2 months.
45. Presidential Pardons
A lawful order to overturn a criminal charge, providing clemency on a charge to an accused player. Any exercise of pardon power shall be issued only in the form of a signed document released to the public. A pardon must be retrospective to a charge and cannot be given pre-emptively unless for the purposes of a Government sanctioned community event

46. Incapacitated
The President may be considered incapacitated and unfit to fulfil the duties of the Presidency with the following process: Majority of Cabinet, through the Vice President, brings a motion to the House of Representatives, to declare that the President is unfit for office. The Congress may then vote to remove the President with simple majority in the House of Representatives and supermajority in the Senate.

47. Allegiance
(1) In order to serve as a Senior Government Official, the office holder must not hold an office as a Senior Government Official in a foreign state concurrently.
(2) Removal will be within the grounds of impeachment for breaching this act.

48. Senior Government Official
(1) A member of the following:
- Elected office in the State Legislature
- A member of the Supreme Court
- A member of Cabinet

49. Constitutional Amendment
A constitutional amendment is defined as any amendment made to the constitution itself or an amendment to a bill that amends the constitution. Any constitutional amendment must start with “A Bill to Amend the Constitution”.

50. Federal Office
Any government position through which a person may apply to, be appointed to, or be elected into, including but not limited to: Secretaries, Department Employees, President, Representative, Senator, Clerks. A position may be considered both public office and federal office at the same time.

51. Public Office
Any position from which a person may be elected to through the people or a representative of the people, including but not limited to: Secretaries, President, Representatives, Senator, Vice President. A position may be considered both public office and federal office at the same time.

52. Anthem
The Official Anthem of Redmont is "God Save End", in memory of our first President, xEndeavour. The lyrics are:

God save our President,
Long live our noble Lord,
God save our End:
Send his victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to be over us:
God save the End.

O Lord, our God, arise,
Scatter his enemies,
And make them fall.
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On thee our hopes we fix:
Endeavour.

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