Reform of Elections

This is the result of a chat with a few friends over the last week.

Reform of Elections



Some proposals to reform the election process. The American people are generally displeased with legislators, House and Senate. Satisfaction with the work, or lack of it, has approval numbers of congress in the 20% range, on a good day.



One of the primary complaints about congress is the failure of congressmen to keep in touch with the American people.



Another is that election to congress is, more often than not, viewed as a lifetime position where the congressman can grow old and rich.



The leaders of the House and Senate are often frail and weak of mind.



Term limits might solve some parts of these concerns and it is certainly a part of the solution. However, it does not solve all the problem.



1. It is time to change is the method of newly elected legislators. The election process should only begin on the first of May in the election year. No campaigning is allowed from the previous election until May of the election year. Not only will this save the campaigns money it will not annoy the voters with trivial advertising.

2. All of the election process will be completed within 48 hours of the election

3. All ballots will be paper, no voting machines.

4. Absentee ballots must be requested by the voter. No mass mail of ballots.

5. Upon election the prospective legislator will prepare for office.



Walk of the legislators:

1. Every two years, by lottery, a transit point will be selected using the 50 state capitals.

When the transit capital is selected the newly elected legislators will begin walking to the transit capital. Once used that capital is taken out of the lottery for two election cycles.

2. It is at the discretion of the proposed legislator to choose his own route and companions, if any.

3. Each legislator must walk the distance from their state capitol to the transit capital. They are allowed to ride, solicited, or offered, for one hour each day.

4. From the transit capitol to DC the legislator is allowed any means of transportation they choose. . In the event of death of a legislator in transit to the capital a special election will be held, and the newly elected replacement may resume at the place of the legislator they are replacing.

5. Congress, both houses may convene on the last day of January. Providing that 99% of each house is physically in the capital. That would be 99 senators and 430 house members

6. Members of congress will spend the first 90 days repealing laws and regulations. No new legislation is allowed for proposal during this time.

7. Member of congress who leave the capital for any but government business must walk to the transit capital, they may then use any means of transportation they choose. On returning they must walk from their capital to the transit capital again.

8. A legislator who, by intent, absents themselves to control the flow of legislation will be fined $100,000 per day. After five days AWOL the seat is declared empty and the legislature will continue its business.

9. The focus of the rest of the legislative session is the federal budget which must be completed no later than 1 October the beginning of the financial year.

10. The election of the president and vice president will not change. In presidential election years the newly elected president will continue to take office and appoint a cabinet in the same manner. The president is not allowed to use executive orders to supplant the legislative process.