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How do MLC elections work?

ELECTIONS
One of the important facets of the Model Legislature & Court program is the opportunity for participants to serve in leadership positions throughout the program. In the MLC there are two types of leadership positions: appointed leadership and elected leadership.

There are three types of elections for officers in the MLC. Offices are divided into four categories. Delegations may not have more than five total nominations (no more than one in Category 1, one in Category 2 and no more than 5 in Category 3). Candidates for Category 4 do NOT count against the 5 person cap.

MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT ELECTIONS POLICY
This page contains the complete set of rules governing the running of candidates for office in the Model Legislature & Court program. This list of rules is intended to be inclusive and will supersede any previous rules or guidelines written or unwritten. Any areas not covered by this policy will be decided by the President/CEO of California YMCA Youth & Government.

WHERE THEY RUN FOR OFFICE
Some candidates run for office in front of the entire MLC. Some candidates only run for office in front of their program area. If your delegate is running for a Category 1 or Category 2 position, they will be speaking in front of the entire MLC and in smaller groups during Meet The Candidate (MTC) sessions. Category 3 and 4 candidates only speak in front of their program area.

ELECTIONS SCHEDULE
Training & Elections I
The following positions are elected by secret ballot at Training & Elections I:
  • State Legislative Analyst
  • State Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • National Issues Commission Presiding Commissioners (vote for four)
  • President Pro-Tempore
  • Speaker of the Assembly Pro-Tempore
  • Forum Chief Clerk of the Assembly
  • Forum Secretary of the Senate
  • Forum Sgt.-At-Arms of Senate and Assembly 
  • Secretary of State
The following positions are qualified by a secret ballot primary at Training & Elections I:
  • Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is narrowed to two finalists
  • Speaker of the Assembly is narrowed to two finalists
  • Lieutenant Governor is narrowed to two finalists  
The following positions are elected by a convention style election at Training & Elections I:
  • Chief Justice (from the finalists)
Training & Elections II
The following positions are elected by secret ballot at Training and Elections II in house:
  • Forum Lt. Governor
  • Forum Speaker of the Assembly
  • NIC Administrative Clerk
  • NIC Adversary General
  • Chief Clerk of the Assembly
  • Secretary of the Senate
  • Sgt.-At-Arms of the Senate 
  • Sgt.-At-Arms of the Assembly
  • Attorney General
  • Presiding Justice
  • District Attorney
  • Constitutional Convention Presiding Speaker
The following positions are elected by secret ballot at Training and Elections II:
  • Speaker of the Assembly (from the finalists)
  • Lieutenant Governor (from the finalists)
The following positions are qualified by a secret ballot primary at Training & Elections II
  • Secretary of State is narrowed to two finalists
  • Youth Governor is narrowed to five semi-finalists (one candidate from each political party, and one unaffiliated candidate will advance).
Sacramento
The following position is elected by convention style election at Sacramento:
  • Youth Governor Final two candidates will qualify by secret ballot at Sacramento Youth Governor is elected Convention Style at the Governor’s Banquet  
CONVENTION STYLE ELECTION RULES & PROCEDURE
  • Each delegation may cast one vote for each delegate in attendance.
  • Delegation will cast its votes on a Delegation Ballot.
  • Ballots will be distributed at the Convention, and delegates should not cast their votes until all speakers have given their final Convention Speech/Debate.
  • Once the Delegation Ballot has been submitted, delegates may not change their vote. The count submitted on the ballot will be the official vote, regardless of the vote count announced by delegation representatives during the convention-style proceedings.
Proceedings
  • Candidates will participate in a debate, moderated by the Secretary of State. Debate format will be at the discretion of the moderator and announced to the candidates prior to the debate
  • Delegation Ballots will be distributed following the debate.
  • Delegations will complete and submit the official vote count to the Secretary of State
  • Delegations will appoint a representative(s) to announce their votes to the convention.  
SECRET BALLOT ELECTION RULES & PROCEDURE
  • Each delegate in attendance of the conference may cast one vote for each ballot item that they are eligible to vote on.
  • Each delegate will cast his or her votes on an individual ballot (not a delegation ballot)
  • Delegates voting privilege may not be assigned to anyone else; each delegate must cast their own vote(s).
  • Votes must be cast during designated polling times. Votes outside designated polling times will not be counted.
  • Distracting behavior (including talking) will not be permitted in a polling area. Voters may be asked to leave if they partake in this behavior.
  • Campaigning for any candidate or ballot measure is prohibited within 100 feet of a polling place.
  • Only votes cast via the official ballot, in accordance with rules outlined on the ballot, will be counted.
  • Final vote counts will be tallied and verified by the Office of Secretary of State.
  • Candidates will be listed on the ballot in a random order.
OPEN RACES & LINE OF SUCCESSION
Open Positions
In the event that no candidates qualify to run for an elected position, the Youth Governor shall appoint a delegate to the position.

Line of Succession
In the event that the Youth Governor is unable to fulfill their duties, the following line of succession will determine a replacement until the Youth Governor is able to perform their duties again:
  • Lieutenant Governor
  • President Pro-Tempore
  • Speaker of the Assembly
  • Secretary of State
  • Appointment by Youth & Government Core Staff
In the event that an elected officer other than the Youth Governor is unable to fulfill their duties, the Youth Governor shall appoint a replacement until that the officer is able to perform their duties again.  

 

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