Elections in Antarctica

The Federation has a federal government, with elected officials at the federal (national), state and local levels. On a national level, the head of state, the President, is elected by direct popular vote. All members of the federal legislature, the Senate, are directly elected. There are many elected offices at the state level, each state having at least an elective governor and House of Representatives (called a Supreme Soviet in Bellinsgauzenia). Boroughs (oblasts in Bellinsgauzenia) elect a mayor (executive branch) and an Assembly (legislative branch). Incorporated cities elect a mayor and a city council. Judges at the federal level are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. However, according to Article IV, Section 7 of the Antarctic constitution, all judges are reviewed in a general election three years after appointment and six years following each review (except Supreme Court justices, which are reviewed every ten years following the initial post-appointment review).

The constitution allows for initiative, referendum, and recall at the federal level. Similar measures also occur at state and local levels.

State corporation officials are elected by shareholders (state residents) every three years or as directed by the corporate charter. State corporations also have provisions for initiative, referendum, and recall.

Voting

Method

The Federation uses a combination of the first-past-the-post and simple majority methods. For example, in a general election, the top two candidates receiving the highest number of votes (assuming neither has a majority) face each other in a subsequent final election, in which the candidate with the majority of the votes wins the election. If a candidate has a majority of the votes in a general election, that candidate wins outright and there is no subsequent final election to decide the race. This way, no candidate can be elected to office without receiving a majority of the vote. At the same time, multiple candidates and parties can participate in the election without the spoiler effect.

Eligibility

The eligibility for voting is outlined at the state level, either by law or by constitution. However, all Federation citizens who are not incarcerated or on probation have a right to participate in Presidential and Supreme Court review elections, regardless of whether they are a resident of a state or reside in the country. Citizens who live abroad also elect a Senator to represent them.

Absentee voting

Absentee voting is a right and all states are required to have an absentee voting process. Although Election Day is specified in the constitution, all citizens must be able to vote either by mail or in person within 30 days before Election Day. This is partially to allow states in early time zones such as Amundsen and Polaria to fairly participate. Otherwise, it would be possible for the election to be decided before their polls even open on Election Day.