Election Scheduling Amendment

The idea was always for special elections to take place as soon as a vacancy was created, and to have that election play out the way a normal election did. However, the constitution was so stringent in defining what day elections would take place, that it forces special elections to only happen on a specific day. I would go a step further and note that if we're reading the constitution literally, it also says that elections happen on the second, but we have been holding voting on the second and starting the process before that. One could argue that the constitution only gives us 5 days to do the entire process, despite what the Legal Code says. Better to avoid that and be absolutely clear that what we're locking in is the day we vote, and how long we can vote.

This amendment guarantees that special elections will last as long as normal ones, in case any of you were afraid this would create a new loophole and allow us to play with length in special elections. The only flexibility it now gives us is that it allows us to decide legislatively when a special election will begin. The Legal Code already states that these elections will happen when a vacancy occurs, so we have that covered. Considering this is how it was intended and how we have tried to handle these elections, I hope you agree this change is perfectly sensible and we can proceed as quickly as possible.

I would like to request the Speaker schedule this amendment for a vote.

I would like to petition the Speaker to expedite this vote, I do not see the need for so large a window for discussion when that window will not be utilized.