Hear ye! Hear ye!

Let the official 2009 BARBARIAN MAYORAL CAMPAIGN BEGIN!

First, let me introduce myself. I am Richard Lucas Webb Jr., your Elections Commissioner.

Also, I’d like to introduce Benjamin Palmer, the commissioner of The Commission on Barbarian Mayoral Debates.

Benjamin will be announcing debate details in due time, but I would like to lay out the ground rules for the election, nominations, etc.

First, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Mr Bruce Winterton, the first mayor of the Barbarian Group. Transition to a mayoral democracy is not always a smooth one, and while Bruce was appointed mayor, we all have to start somewhere, don’t we? And his tainted appointment should not diminish his accomplishments, for the taint lies in the system, not in the Mayor. Sorta like Blagojevich and Burris.

Secondly, mad due props to Doug McDermott, who came up with this whole affair.

ANYWAY, moving on. Here are the electoral rules:

1) Registration as a candidate is required, and the registration doors are open now.

2) To qualify as a candidate, one must be an employed member of The Barbarian Group, over 18 years of age, and able to speak english.

3) To register, candidates must file their registration paperwork with the Elections Commission. Registration form is attached to this document, and also can be found on the wiki under Barbarian Mayoral Elections The form needs to be signed and dated, and delivered online to the elections commissioner, who will then approve the candidacy and make a formal announcement.

4) Candidates for the 2009 mayoral election need to be registered by 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time, Friday, February 6, 2009. All candidacies submitted on time will be judged and announced by Monday, February 9th, 5 PM Eastern Standard Time.

5) Candidates can begin their campaigning as soon as their candidacy is approved. There are, however, campaign guidelines and regulations that need to be followed. They are listed below.

1) This election is a two-ballot, plurality, winner-takes-all, majoritarian election. To translate: The winner of Mayor must be elected ultimately by 50% + 1 barbarian. We will use two rounds to do this if necessary.

2) The first election will be held February 26th. Polling will take place throughout the day, online. Results will be announced by 6PM February 27th.

3) If one candidate receives 50% +1 of the votes, and the election commission judges the race fair, the winner will be announced as mayor-elect

4) If no one candidate receives 50%+1 of the votes, a runoff election will be scheduled for Monday, March 2. The Winner will be announced by 7PM, March 3rd.

5) The winning candidate begins his duties effective immediately upon announcement. However, until the formal swearing in, the winning candidate will be operating as an acting mayor until the swearing in can be scheduled. Swearing in is handled by the elections commission.

1) No campaign may spend a budget over USD$100.

2) No campaign may buy votes or bribe the voting public.

3) No campaign may campaign at any Barbarian Office on either election day

4) Additional rules will be announced by the Election Commission as seen fit.

5) The Election Commission has sole, undisputed authority to judge any campaigning misdeed.

6) There is, however, an appeals process. If a majority of the candidates all vote and agree to appeal an Election Commission ruling, the decision will be reviewed by the Election Commissioner’s mother, who will judge the validity of the decision.

Good luck everyone. Happy campaigning.

Sincerely,

Richard L Webb Jr.
Barbarian Mayoral Election Commissioner