Latest revision as of 17:56, 26 August 2010

Article 2: The Senate

Section 1: Powers and Limitations

1. The Senate may enact, amend, or repeal laws by a majority vote.
2. The Senate may override a legislative veto of the Delegate by a two-thirds majority vote.
3. The Senate may confirm all treaties negotiated by the Delegate by a two-thirds majority vote.
4. The Senate may not enact any law which declares a person guilty of a criminal offense.
5. The Senate may not enact any law retroactively.

Section 2: Structure and Procedures

1. The Senate will be composed of a number of senators.
2. The number of senators will be seven unless determined otherwise by law.
3. The results of any vote taken in the Senate will be valid only if at least a third of the Senate's membership participates.
4. The Senate will elect a Speaker to administer the affairs of the Senate.
5. The Senate will determine its own procedures.
6. In cases of ambiguity or where no procedures exist, the Speaker will use their own discretion.

Section 3: Election

1. The Senate will be elected once every seven weeks.
2. If seven weeks have passed since the last election, an election for the Senate will be held.
3. If there are less than three senators, any citizen may call an election for the Senate.
4. All senators will be elected at large by the single transferable vote.
5. Vacancies occurring between elections will be filled by recounting the ballots of the last election as if the absent senator were not running.

Section 4: Immunities

1. No senator may have their access to the Senate restricted without the consent of the Senate.