Aurora:Genoa Doge Elections
Election Procedure
Modern Day Election Procedure
The Senate is tasked with selecting Doge for their two month terms, with the election itself being managed and ran by the Contatore, a member of the Council of Elders who also manages Council business. As such, the specifics of the election may differ slightly election to election, and often does based on the number of nobles who voice interest in running for Doge, and the number of candidates who make it onto the ballot.
Candidacy
Beginning on the 1st of the month, 2 months from the start of the prior election, the candidacy period lasts for 3 days.
Any noble may put themselves forward to be Doge, but must obtain the support of a Senator to do so. This Senator must then go on to publicly inform the Senate of their support of the candidate for them to be officially recognised. Senators still require the support of a different Senator to become a candidate, and may not simply endorse themselves. Upon successful registration as a candidate, they are given the ability to speak in campaign and questions channels where they can share their platform and discuss it with Senators, who are encouraged to ask questions of the candidates. All nobles may view these channels, however, if they are not a Senator or candidate, they may not speak.
Incumbent Doges may only hold the position for 2 consecutive terms, but there is no overall term limit.
Voting
The vote is a secret ballot held in the Senate that lasts for 24 hours. However, if it is necessary to facilitate further debate the vote can be extended if sufficient senators indicate a desire to.
Where there are several candidates, ranked choice voting is utilised, where this is one candidate, a confirmation vote is run to approve the candidate as doge.
Amendments to Procedure
Following an amendment to the Genoese Constitution, the power to select the Doge was transferred from the Council of Elders to the Senate. Additionally, the Contatore was formally tasked with the running of the Doge election, with previously any member of the Council being able to run the election, although convention saw it fall to the Contatore. Prior to this amendment, the Council had the sole ability to decide the Doge, however the Senate was still responsible for declaring candidates.
Doge Elections
1st Doge Election | September 2023
Run By: Doge Erwinnn Doria
With the passage of the Constitution, the 7th of September saw the inaugural Doge election take place. Due to the unique nature of the election, the decision was made by the Council to hold it later in September, as opposed to at the start of October.
The Election saw one Candidate, Consul 32Andrew Doria, and they were unanimously elected and declared as Doge by the Council of Elders
2nd Doge Election | November 2023
Run By: Consul aTerraAustralis di Fieschi
The 2nd Doge election saw a single candidate put themselves forward, with Doge 32Andrew Doria running for a second term.
They were unanimously elected by the Council of Elders on the 4th of November 2023.
3rd Doge Election | January 2023
Run By: Consul aTerraAustralis di Fieschi
The 3rd Doge Election saw a single candidate put themselves forward, Consul KristauxSoft di Buonaparte. Incumbent Doge, Doge 32Andrew Doria, was not eligible to run for a third term.
They were unanimously elected by the Council of Elders on the 4th of January 2023.
4th Doge Election | March 2024
Run By: Consul aTerraAustralis di Fieschi
The 4th Doge election saw a single candidate put themselves forward, Consul Sepl3333 di Spinola.
This was the first election held after a constitutional amendment was passed to change the election of the Doge from the Council of Elders to the Senate. As there was only one candidate, a confirmation vote was held, with 9 Senators casting a ballot in favour of confirming Consul Sepl3333 di Spinola as Doge.
They were confirmed as Doge on the 5th of March 2024.
5th Doge Election | May 2024
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Run By: Consul aTerraAustralis di Fieschi
The 5th Doge election was the first election that saw more than a single candidate put themselves forward. In total, there were 4 candidates:
- Consul KristauxSoft di Buonaparte
- Consul 32Andrew Doria
- Podestà Lalopopop Embriaco
- Podestà Keep_Dream Embriaco
As there were several candidates, the modern day election procedure was introduced with the creation of designated campaigning spaces for the candidates.
The vote was a ranked choice vote, which saw KristauxSoft win a majority in the first round, with 9 preference votes. They were declared Doge by the Contatore on the 5th of January 2024.