Awaiting Assent Single Transferable Vote for the Senate Act

[EATB]

A
BILL
To

Amend the Constitution to introduce the Single Transferable Vote to the Senate​

The people of the Commonwealth of Redmont, through their elected Representatives in the Congress and the force of law ordained to that Congress by the people through the constitution, do hereby enact the following provisions into law:

1 - Short Title and Enactment
(1) This Act may be cited as the 'Single Transferable Vote for the Senate Act'
(2) This Act shall be enacted immediately upon its signage.
(3) This Act has been authored by EATB.
(4) This Act has been co-sponsored by Representative RealImza.

2 - Reasons
(1) The current system of Single Non-Transferable Vote (SNTV) for the Senate fails to reflect true voter preference, resulting in disproportionate representation.
(2) The Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, already successfully implemented in the House of Representatives, has proven to be more equitable, representative, and resilient to tactical voting. It allows for proportional outcomes, encourages coalition-building, and ensures that every vote contributes meaningfully to the election outcome.
(3) Given that the Senate serves as ‘checks and balances’ of the House of Representatives, it must be equally representative and reflective of the people’s will.
(4) This reform aligns with constitutional principles of justice and liberty in governance and is necessary to strengthen public trust in Redmont’s electoral process.

3 - Amendment
(1) §9 of the Constitution shall be amended as follows:
“
(1) Voting System. Elections for the Senate shall be conducted through a system of Single Non-Transferable Vote.

(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.
”
“
(1) Voting System. Elections for the Senate shall be conducted through a Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.

(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-ranking 50% of candidates, as determined by the final STV tally, shall be assigned to Class A. The remaining candidates shall be assigned to Class B.”

 

[Smami]

Aye, this has been long overdue. STV has been shown to be a much more reliable system everywhere it has been implemented, without it we simply enrich the largest parties in the Senate with far more seats than is fair, and it stifles any chance for newer and smaller parties to gain any seats within the Senate.

 

[Sofia2750]

Aye, it is shameful that such an unjust system like the current one is in place, which is why I have for months been trying to get it replaced. I hope my fellow senators vote aye, just like I have, as this is a real test for if someone fights for you.

 

[juniperfig]

Presidential Assent

This bill has been granted assent and has been referred to the DOS for referendum.

Tenth time's the charm, as they say.