Union of Allied StatesBoard

• Popular Sovereignty: the notion that a government's authority is formed and maintained by the people's consent, expressed through their elected representatives, who are the fundamental source of political power. The UAS Constitution was drafted, with the Preamble stating, "We, the nations and citizens of the Union of Allied States, establish this Constitution as a covenant between us." The people provide the regional government with its sovereignty, and it can only govern with their consent.

• Limited Government: the notion that the Government derives its power from the people and only has as much power as the people deem necessary and proper to preserve our securities, our rights, and our sacred honor.

• Separation of Powers: the notion that government power should be limited as well as divided. The Constitution vests specific authority in each of the three branches: administrative (President and Cabinet), legislative (Congress), and judiciary (constitutional courts and bodies). This division of powers between the government and the people is meant to avoid abuses of power.

• Checks and Balances: the notion that checks and balances should exist on all three branches of government and the people to keep any one party from becoming more powerful than the other and thus abusing our sacred rights.

• Judicial Review: the notion that constitutional courts and bodies have the authority to review regional government activities and to overturn any that are judged unconstitutional or violate a constitutional norm. They also have a solid foundation in topics such as citizenship processing, security and safety, and processing rights, to name a few.

• Regent-Federalism: the notion that a Regent (as conceived herein) and a regional federalist system may coexist. Regional federalism is a form of government based on the division of power between a central (regional) government and subordinate governments. The power-sharing system is designed to guarantee that the central (regional) government is powerful enough to be successful but not so powerful that it threatens the House Floor or individual people.

II.I. The highest level of authority in the region is this Constitution. There is no other document that can supersede the Constitution. This Constitution lays out the foundations, requirements, and frameworks for the government.

II.II. With the same degree of acceptance and safeguards as the Constitution, the Bill of Rights is a direct continuation and extension of the latter.

• The Speaker of the House will have authority (administrative powers) over the following areas: Appearance, Communications, and Polls.

• The Senate Whip will have authority (administrative powers) over the following areas: Appearance, Communications, and Polls.

III.I. All people in the region who are members of the WA (World Assembly) and have resided in the region for at least 30 days will make up the House of Representatives, so long as they are not already members of the government.

III.I.I. Anyone who satisfies those requirements is presumed to be a member of the House automatically.

III.II. All legislation starts in the House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of Congress.

III.II.I. Legislation can be introduced by anybody in or out of the House, but only House members have the authority to put a bill or law to a vote.

III.III. The House may transact daily operations via dispatches, telegrams, the RMB, an affiliated but separate RMB, or Discord.

III.IV. The Speaker shall be in charge of House rules and etiquette.

III.IV.I. Legislation in the future might mandate House standard presets.

III.V. The criteria listed in the Election Matters section are used to elect and appoint candidates for all official positions of power in the House.

III.VI. Five senators will be elected in accordance with the criteria listed in the Election Matters section to serve as the region's official starting delegation.

III.VI.I. There will be one more senator appointed for every 25 new citizens when the region starts to expand.

III.VII. The Senate, which is the upper chamber of Congress, is where all legislation finishes.

III.VII.I. After a bill or law passes the House, the Senate will convene to vote on it, examine it, and determine whether to approve it and proceed forward or to amend it and send it back to the House.

III.VIII. The RMB, an associated but distinct RMB, telegrams, dispatches, and Discord can all be used by the Senate to conduct daily business.

III.IX. Senate protocol will be overseen by the Majority Whip.

III.X. Future legislation may require Senate standard presets.

III.XI. All legislation starts in the House of Representatives and is finished by the Senate.

III.XI.I. Any member, resident, or citizen of the region may introduce a bill or law, but a House member must put it to a vote.

III.XI.II. Should a bill or law pass the House, it will proceed to the Senate for consideration.

III.XI.III. The Senate has two days to carefully review the bill or law before offering any necessary criticism or remarks.

III.XI.IV. The Senate will return an altered version of the bill to the House for another vote before proceeding if it determines that too many modifications are required.

III.XI.V. Legislation that has been passed by the Senate is formally referred to as an Act or Formal Law, and it is then sent to the President for approval, veto, or rejection.

III.XI.VI. The President's signature does not directly affect the approval of legislation if it gets a supermajority in both chambers—a ¾ vote in the House and a ⅔ vote in the Senate.

III.XI.VII. Every piece of legislation is susceptible to being repealed by subsequent legislation, as well as being reviewed by judges and removed if a constitutional challenge is made to it.

• The Founder/Regent will have authority (administrative powers) over the following areas: Executive, Appearance, Border Control, Communications, Embassies, and Polls.

• The President will have authority (administrative powers) over the following areas: Executive, Appearance, Border Control, Communications, Embassies, Polls, and the World Assembly.

• The Vice President will have authority (administrative powers) over the following areas: Appearance, Border Control, Communications, Embassies, and Polls.

• The Cabinet Heads will be able to have authority (administrative powers) over the following areas: Appearance, Border Control ((Attorney General /&/ Minister of Intelligence and Order Only)), Communications, Embassies, and Polls.

IV.I. As the Regent (Founder/Governor), South Waterford will be given the right power and position within the community.

IV.I.I. The Regent will serve in a figurehead role that helps to maintain regional peace, stability, and power transitions.

IV.I.II. When necessary, they will also collaborate with the regional government on domestic and foreign functions.

IV.II. For any reason that they see necessary to ensure the safety, security, and integrity of the region, the Regent may issue Imperial Decrees, which are their equivalent of Executive Orders and do not need the approval of Congress in order to be formally implemented.

IV.II.I. Every Imperial Decree is susceptible to judicial review and can be overruled by the Legislature with a sufficient number of votes.

IV.II.II. This will serve to maintain separation and prevent a monarchy or an excessive concentration of power in one person.

IV.III. The Regent will still be able to submit legislation to the House, but the Regent will not be able to vote on any of that legislation.

IV.III.I. The Regent will be able to vote in elections.

IV.III.II. The Regent is not eligible to run for office because they currently provide a valuable function in the community.

IV.IV. The President directs the executive branch and is the direct head of the regional government.

IV.V. The President will maintain the integrity of the union and see to it that laws are effectively enacted and signed by collaborating directly with all branches of government.

IV.VI. When necessary, the President will nominate officials and hold elections.

IV.VII. To manage the daily affairs of the region, the President will collaborate closely with their Vice President, the Cabinet, and the Civil Service bodies.

IV.VIII. The President may issue Executive Orders to further his or her objectives.

IV.VIII.I. These orders are subject to court scrutiny and may be overridden by the Legislature with a majority of votes.

IV.IX. In addition to being officially required to be a member of the WA (World Assembly) in order to run for office and hold it, the President will automatically take on the function of Defacto WAD (World Assembly Delegate).

IV.X. Legislation can be sent to the House by the President, but the President cannot vote in the House or Senate for any legislation.

IV.X.I. Until a super majority is declared by vote on the law, all legislation needs the President's signature to fully take effect.

IV.XI. Every open election is open to the President's vote.

IV.XII. The criteria used to appoint or elect presidents are outlined in the Election Matters section.

IV.XIII. The President must sign all treaties and give orders on topics pertaining to foreign policy.

IV.XIV. The President also has the authority to pardon, commute, and reprieve any offense or conviction—with the exception of removal from office.

IV.XIV.I. This authority cannot be used against them or as a pretext.

IV.XIV.II. Within five days, the Senate may overrule any action taken under this provision with a 2/3 vote.

IV.XV. The Vice President directly succeeds the President in the line of succession.

IV.XVI. To guarantee that high-quality work is completed and that daily operations are carried out, the Vice President will collaborate closely with the President, the remainder of the Regional Government, and the Civil Service.

IV.XVII. The Vice President shall have the authority to break any and all ties in the Senate when required.

IV.XVIII. To accomplish their goals, the Vice President has the authority to issue Vice Orders.

IV.XIX. The Legislature may override these orders with a majority of votes and subject them to court review.

IV.XX. The Vice President will automatically assume the role of Defacto Vice-WAD (World Assembly Delegate), in addition to being technically required to be a member of the WA (World Assembly) in order to run for and hold office.

IV.XXI. With the exception of their capacity to break ties in the Senate, the Vice President may bring legislation before the House, but the Vice President will not have the ability to vote on it.

IV.XXII. The Election Matters section contains the requirements for selecting or appointing vice presidents.

IV.XXIII. When necessary, the Vice President will assume the role of a dedicated foreign policy leader.

IV.XXIV. Any sitting President in the region may call for the Vice President to act in their place for a maximum of three days in the case that a Presidential Turnover Rate is declared.

IV.XXIV.I. During that time, the Vice President will act in the President's place and perform all duties and responsibilities.

IV.XXV. To guarantee the smooth functioning of the executive branch and the formation of a more flawless administration, the President will appoint a Cabinet consisting of reliable individuals to oversee various facets of the Civil Service.

IV.XXV.I. The Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of the Exterior, Secretary of Order and Intelligence, Secretary of Media and Communications, and Attorney General are the roles that the Presidential Cabinet is advised to fill.

IV.XXV.II. Future legislative expansion will permit the creation and operation of more Cabinet seats.

IV.XXVI. In addition to overseeing the integrity and quality of work of the Civil Service, the Cabinet is in charge of managing daily operations in the region.

IV.XXVI.I. To guarantee the smooth operation of their particular branches, each member of the Cabinet is expected to collaborate closely with every other member of the Regional Government.

IV.XXVII. The Cabinet is tasked with developing regional doctrines that are relevant to their field of expertise (e.g., The Doctrine of Media and Communications, which would relate to and offer a detailed operational manual for the relevant office while also allowing for freedom in work and leadership responsibilities).

IV.XXVII.I. The House is the body that must approve all Regional Doctrines.

IV.XXVIII. The Election Matters section contains the procedures for selecting and appointing Cabinet members.

IV.XXIX. It is intended to establish an efficient Civil Service, led by the Cabinet, to assist in managing the region's daily activities.

IV.XXX. Every office created must be accessible to the general public and follow its own regional doctrines.

IV.XXXI. A close-knit network of assistance is provided to the Civil Service to aid in granting flexibility and autonomy in their work.

IV.XXXII. The Civil Service shall have direct direction, oversight, and control over regional extension networks like a Discord server, other offsite affiliations like a website or forum, media affiliations like social media, and even other regional affiliations like the Regional League or UASClub.

IV.XXXIII. The procedure described in the relevant regional doctrine of that office can be used to appoint all basic members of the Civil Service to their positions.

• The Chief Justice will have authority (administrative powers) over the following areas: Appearance, Border Control, Communications, and Polls.

V.I. As the highest court in the region, the Regional High Court will be the Criminal Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeals.

V.II. There will be three judges on the court in question, and they will work closely together to rotate cases among themselves and divide the workload.

V.III. In order to establish an impartial appeals process, the Chief Justice—one more judge—will only be able to preside over appeals and cases pertaining to constitutional issues rather than criminal cases.

V.IV. The Chief Justice will be appointed by the Regent for a term of no less than two years.

V.V. The Election Matters section lays out the standards by which justices on the Regional High Court are appointed or elected.

V.VI. Every criminal case shall include a jury pool made up of at least five citizens who must be as impartial as feasible.

V.VI.I. To determine guilt or innocence in criminal proceedings, a party must receive at least 50%+1 of the jury's vote.

V.VI.II. A bench trial led by the three judges will expedite all cases and trials but will not require a jury to decide a case's outcome.

V.VI.III. Anyone can elect to forgo their right to a jury trial in favor of this option.

V.VII. It is possible to keep criminal and civil cases apart through legislation, the creation of a Penal Code, or other such actions.

V.VIII. For all civil regional proceedings, the Regional Low Court will act as the Civil Court.

V.IX. The court in question will consist of two judges who will collaborate closely to share the burden and rotate cases amongst themselves.

V.X. Future legislation may allow for the election of both civil court judges.

V.XI. A public jury pool, drawn from at least five nations in the region, will sit for all civil proceedings, with the goal of selecting the least prejudiced jurors.

V.XI.I. In civil proceedings, a party must receive at least 50% of the vote from the jury in order for their side to be declared at fault.

V.XI.II. Anyone can choose to forgo their right to a jury trial in favor of a bench trial conducted by both judges, which will speed up all cases and trials but eliminate the need for a jury to vote on a case's outcome.

V.XII. Legislation, the establishment of a Penal Code, or similar measures may separate civil and criminal matters.

V.XIII. Regional laws and norms may establish additional courts, such as Inferior Courts or Tribunals.

V.XIV. Any constituted Inferior Court or Tribunal shall be regarded as the lowest judicial authority in the region and shall only be subject to cases involving military operations, espionage operations, or other low-level subjections necessitating the handling of the particular matter by an Inferior Court.

V.XV. Inferior Courts and Tribunals will decide cases in the same manner as a regular trial.

V.XVI. Their benches may consist of a Judicial Panel, which is composed of several judges, or a direct Private Jury, which is composed of several local citizens.

V.XVII. The Regional High Court shall have direct oversight and command over all Inferior Courts and Tribunals.

V.XVIII. Anyone can ask the judiciary to consider a disagreement or legal query.

V.XIX. Judges are prohibited from carrying out any legislative or executive action that may jeopardize the judiciary's independence, impartiality, or integrity.

V.XX. A judge must recuse themselves from a case when they have a conflict of interest.

V.XX.I. Two other judges have the authority to order a judge to recuse themselves if they have a reasonable suspicion that there is a conflict of interest.

V.XX.II. If a party or their representative has a good faith opinion that there is a conflict of interest, they may ask the judge to disqualify themselves from the case.

V.XX.III. The judge in question or two other judges have the option to grant the recusal motion.

V.XXI. Courts with lower jurisdiction are bound by the rulings of courts with superior authority.

V.XXII. In addition, the Chief Justice will preside over the judiciary, manage the Regional High Court's operations, and guarantee that all cases are carried out in a timely, judicial, and ordered way.

V.XXIII. In order to preserve the balance of power, all judges and justices will continue to be impartial by casting their votes in private via telegram to the Regent for any and all public elections.

• Jurisdiction of the Regional High Court: The Regional High Court will be the highest court in the region, possessing ultimate appellate authority. The decisions rendered by the Regional High Court are final and enforceable. The following legal authorities will be available to the Regional High Court: Original jurisdiction over criminal cases, matters involving government bodies or between government members; Appellate jurisdiction over appeals from all judgments, decrees, orders, and sentences rendered by any regional court or judicial body; and Advisory jurisdiction over requests for an advisory opinion from the Regional High Court regarding significant legal issues that have arisen or are very likely to arise and for which standard legal advice is probably insufficient.

• Jurisdiction of the Regional Low Court: With the highest civil power in the region, the Regional Low Court will be the second highest court. Every ruling made by the Regional Low Court has the ability to be directly altered or overturned and is appealable to the Regional High Court. The Regional Low Court shall have original jurisdiction over civil cases, no direct appellate jurisdiction, and advisory jurisdiction over requests for an advisory opinion from the Regional Low Court concerning major civil issues that have arisen or are very likely to arise and for which conventional legal advice is probably insufficient.

• Jurisdiction of the Inferior Courts and Tribunals: The Inferior Courts and Tribunals will have the least authority over cases in the region. Every decision rendered by the Inferior Courts and Tribunals may be appealed to and directly changed by the Regional High Court. Original jurisdiction over military, spy, and foreign affairs cases (particularly those involving embassies, ambassadors, envoys, diplomats, or treaties) shall belong to the Inferior Courts and Tribunals. There will be no direct appellate jurisdiction, and the Inferior Courts and Tribunals shall have advisory jurisdiction over requests for an advisory opinion regarding significant military, spy, or foreign issues that have arisen or are very likely to arise and for which traditional legal advice is probably insufficient.

VI.I. All officially recognized and processed citizens residing in the region (who are not already members of the government) for at least 30 days who are also members of the WA will comprise the House of Representatives.

VI.I.I. With the exception of the Speaker and Party Chair roles, no members of the House are chosen by election.

VI.II. Every three months, candidates for all elected offices in the House should run for office again.

VI.III. The Majority and Minority Speakers will be chosen from a list provided by their respective parties.

VI.III.I. The candidates will be chosen by public polling via the RCV voting system, and if no candidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the first round, there will be a runoff.

VI.III.II. The Majority Speaker will be chosen from among the candidates who receive the most votes.

VI.III.III. The Minority Speaker will be chosen from among the candidates in the opposition party who received the second-most votes.

VI.IV. The Party Chair positions are chosen according to their party's standards and preferences.

VI.V. Within their faction of the party or wing of the House, these can be localized positions like Party Whip, who represents their party and gives the House a voice of leadership, or Committee Chairmans, who represent their party and give the House a voice in a particular area of legislation, like foreign policy.

VI.VI. Every political party in the region is allowed to establish its own guidelines and procedures for choosing which candidates to run for office or select to be Party-Line Positions.

VI.VII. There will be 5 senators in the region at first, and that number will rise by 1 for every 25 new citizens.

VI.VII.I. As long as they have been citizens of the region for at least 30 days, and are not already a member of the regional government outside of the House of Representatives, anyone may run for the Senate.

VI.VIII. Every four months, there should be a senate election in order to permit three terms of office annually.

VI.IX. Each candidate will be chosen from a list that each of the parties has provided.

VI.X. Voting will be conducted using the Hare Quota System, and in the event that two or more candidates tie, a runoff will determine the winner based on a majority of votes.

VI.XI. A special election may be held as more senators are added, or the President may name a temporary replacement to serve until the following election
cycle.

VI.XII. The Senate will have roles and leadership positions based on committees, with a Majority Whip and a Minority Whip, who are equivalent to a Majority Leader and a Minority Leader, holding positions of power.

VI.XII.I. The candidate put up by the party with the most votes will become the Majority Whip of the Senate, while the candidate with the second-highest votes will become the Minority Whip.

VI.XII.II. The Whips will be chosen by Senate-only private voting.

VI.XIII. Senate-established guidelines are permissible for committee formation and operation, and committee chairmen will adhere to the same guidelines.

VI.XIV. It is permissible for each political party in the region to set up its own policies and processes for selecting candidates to run for office or pick a Whip.

VI.XV. Until the Regent CTE's (ceases to exist), South Waterford will retain executive control over the region through the Regent (Founder) role.

VI.XV.I. The Regent (Founder) is at liberty to choose their own successor or successors for the region, to assume leadership in their place in the case of their CTE, removal from office, or ultimate retirement.

VI.XVI. In order to be eligible to run for President and Vice President, candidates must be members of the World Assembly (WA), have resided in the region for 100 days or longer, and officially announce their candidacies (either through party nomination or by formally gathering the signatures of at least 15 other regional nations).

VI.XVI.I. Every election season, or every six months, a public poll will be used to choose the winner of the presidency.

VI.XVI.II. In order for a President to be elected, 50%+1 of the region must vote in their support.

VI.XVI.III. Should there be a tie between two candidates, runoffs may be held.

VI.XVI.IV. The political party running their ticket will select and ratify their Vice Presidential candidate.

VI.XVII. The President will designate all major leadership positions in the Cabinet, and the Senate will need to vote by a majority of 50%+1 in order to approve them.

VI.XVIII. The Regent (in the case that the President is incapable) or the President will convene special elections or appoint temporary replacements to fill any executive positions that become vacant for any reason, until the holding of a formal election or confirmation of appointment.

VI.XIX. A group of Justices, chosen by the President and confirmed by the Senate with a 50%+1 majority, preside over the Regional High Court.

VI.XX. Every Justice is appointed for a regional life term, which is equivalent to two years unless they explicitly choose to retire or step down earlier.

VI.XXI. Other judicial positions, such as those of Judges for Civil Courts, Inferior Courts, and Tribunals, may be elected by a straightforward process outlined by relevant legislation.

VI.XXII. Since the Attorney General of the region is effectively a member of the Cabinet/Civil Service, their appointment by the President will require approval by a 50%+1 majority in the Senate.

VI.XXIII. If a judicial post becomes available in the region, the President may appoint a temporary replacement to hold the post until a formal election or confirmation of appointment can take place.

VI.XXIV. The formalized procedure of retiring from office is codified and official after the term limit or desired resignation from office upon completion of a full term.

VI.XXIV.I. Every retirement must be made clear, recorded, and publicized.

VI.XXV. Any official (except the Regent) may be removed from office by the basic requirement of popular support exceeding a public quota of 50%+1; moreover, a 2/3 majority vote in the Senate and a 50%+1 vote in the House.

VI.XXVI. The Regional High Court is to formally handle and supervise recalls.

VI.XXVI.I. If a formal recall occurs, a special election needs to be held promptly thereafter.

VI.XXVI.II. Until then, the Regent may choose a suitable replacement for the post, which must then be confirmed by the Senate with a simple majority of 50%.

VI.XXVI.II. The special election date must fall within a three-month window of the next elections.

VI.XXVII. Early leaves of absence from position, irrespective of the cause, should be treated under the same guidelines as those that apply after an official recall passes.

VIII.I. When the region is under grave and immediate threat or when the proper functioning of government is significantly disrupted, the Regent or President may declare a State of Emergency (which shall originally last for a period of 48-hours).

VIII.I.I. This may be suspended by the High Court, a 4/5 vote of the Cabinet, or a 2/3 vote in the Senate.

VIII.I.II. An extension may be provided by Senatorial Action to provide 5 more days.

VIII.II. In order to restore the peace, welfare, good governance, and proper operation of the region, the declaring party shall adopt all reasonable, suitable, and proportionate measures during a State of Emergency, including suspending sections of the Constitution or other legislation.

VIII.III. There shall be no interference with the Regent's authority or the Courts' capacity to undertake judicial review.

VIII.IV. Additional legislation may be used to impose plans, restrictions, and exceptions.

VIII.V. Every citizen is free to create, join, or quit a political party.

VIII.VI. A party's membership does not confer any advantages over non-participation.

VIII.VII. Laws may be passed that address the formation, operation, dissolution, and regulation of political parties.

VIII.VIII. Political parties are limited to using party members as second candidates in Senate and Presidential elections.

VIII.IX. This Constitution requires a quorum of 50%+1 to be passed, and it is anticipated that a peaceful handover of power will occur as a result.

VIII.IX.I. This concept is further safeguarded by the signatures at the bottom.

VIII.X. Direct elections are anticipated to be followed by a three-month peaceful transition of power from the previous government to the new one established by this Constitution.

VIII.XI. The same assumption applies in the event that a new regional constitution—or something similar—is passed in the future.

🔗 Link to the Bill of Rights (Amendments) [☑️]

🔗 Link to the Congressional Standards Act []

🔗 Link to the Presidential Standards Act []

🔗 Link to the Judicial Standards Act []

🔗 Link to the Line of Succession Act []

🔗 Link to the Penal Code (Criminal & Civil Code Act) []

🔗 Link to the Regional Militia Act []

🔗 Link to the Political Parties Act []

🔗 Link to the Regional Emergency Act []

X.I. It is permissible to revise this constitution.

X.II. For the purposes of this constitution, revisions are the officially defined and continuous legal modifications that must be made after completing the formal procedures.

X.III. Any revisions made are subject to challenge by any constitutional court or body, and the specific modifications brought about by revisions are outlined in more detail in their definitions.

X.IV. The sole method available to add modifications and/or modify already-existing ones is the express procedure of Congress.

X.IV.I. Under the express procedure, a formal proposal to revise (amend) the constitution is made and debated in the House in accordance with standard legislative procedure.

X.IV.II. For the revision to be formally adopted, it needs to pass the House by a simple majority (more than 3/5 of the vote), and the Senate must then approve it by a 2/3 majority.

X.V. Every revision will result in the explicit removal of previous sections of the constitution where they directly apply.

X.V.I. The new wording will be inserted while the previous text is subtly removed using the strike code.

X.V.II. Every change will have a distinct, clickable link section that will let you read the House's formal disposition and get all the details about how the revision was processed.