The 2nd Aldurian General Elections [1678 / Nov 2019]

[Alduria]

 

Well, since I have your attention - FLASHY GIF! - let me provide you with the all-encompassing post containing information about Alduria's second general election!

 

Calendar

CALENDAR
ELECTION SCHEDULE (in ET time: deadlines closing at 11:59 pm ET)

• Candidacy papers open for President and Parliament: Mon Oct 28;
  
• Candidacy papers close for President, pre-polls released, pre-election write up: Sun Nov 3;
  
• First day of election: Mon Nov 4;
  
  1. Political platforms are posted by the parties for presidential candidates (if needed) and for Parliament;
     
  2. Campaign kickoff speeches by participants.
     
• Campaigning: Nov Tue 5 - Fri Nov 8;
  
• Mid-polls and feedback, candidacy papers close for Parliament: Wed Nov 6;
  
• Last day of election: Sat Nov 9;
  
  1. Closing campaign events, closing speeches by participants.
     
• Results: Sun Nov 10.
  
  1. Live results chat in the Discord server.
     

 

 

Reference Links

FOR REFERENCE:

• Last general election (1672 AN);
  
• Results of last general election;
  
• Official Registry of Political Parties (wiki article).
  

 

 

Candidacy Papers

So, no changes in the calendar except that your candidacy papers can be filed early, you can do it in the following threads:

• For Parliament here: https://www.alduria.cc/forum/showthread.php?tid=345
  
• For President here: https://www.alduria.cc/forum/showthread.php?tid=344
  

To participate in the election as a candidate (Parliament or President), you will need to be an Aldurian citizen (have signed in) and file your candidacy papers in the appropriate thread.

Presidential candidacy papers will close on Sunday November 3, by 11:59pm ET.

Parliamentary candidacy papers will close on mid-poll day, Wed November 6, by 11:59pm ET.            

 

Election Timing, Activity Requirements

This time around, we've reduced the election time with the aim of doing a condensed dose of activity over one week compared to the last election which took place over several weeks. Here's some things to keep in mind:

• By the end of the first day of the election (Mon Nov. 4, 11:59pm ET), all presidential candidates and political parties will need to have submitted their campaign platforms and starting speeches or ads.
  
• Political parties and presidential candidates can submit one platform together, or they can each submit their own. In the case of the latter, there's expectation that they would be overall very well aligned and with no contradictions, generally. This will be resolved internally in parties, of course - but just watch out to make sure the messaging and the goals are in sync as that makes for a stronger campaign nationally.
  
• Each participant in the election (people that have filed their candidacy papers) shall have to make a starting speech on the first day of the election - imagine this as a kick-off speech for your campaign. This can be a chance for you to describe what you're for, and create a general narrative for you and what you'll do. Work in elements from the party platform, try to aim a little for the audience. Look at the polls, take a look at what people have ranked as their concerns and address them genuinely and meaningfully.
  
• You can start running ads on day one of the election. Use ads as an opportunity to present to voters what you will do once in office and promote your party and its platform. You can always run attack ads and whatever other kind of ad on day one - that's okay. But you should definitely consider using an ad as an opportunity to introduce yourself and your party's platform.
  
• The campaigning period (Tue Nov 5 - Fri Nov 8, 11:59pm ET) will be a chance for the parties to fight the campaign! You can throw as many speeches, ads, billboards, or political events out during this time. Quality speeches and ads will be the kind that connect the party platform to an articulated vision for voters. Tell them how you'll be better than the competition. Tell voters what is at stake in the election. There's room for negative campaigning, of course - use that as you wish. But it should be mentioned that there's a risk to negative campaigning, it can backfire and elicit stronger negative impressions from voters of you if that is your constant focus. Remember you have ads! 
  
• Mid-polls and feedback will be posted on Wed November 6, by 11:59pm ET.
  
• Candidacy papers will be open throughout the election for people to jump in and participate. The later you file, the less time you will have to mount a meaningful and impactful campaign. Each contribution by individual participants boost their party and their personal brand both, so the more people contribute and campaign, the better their percentages will be. Consistency in quality of the continent will earn you more support.
  
• By the end of the last day of the election (Sat November 9, by 11:59pm ET), you will need to submit your closing events, ads, and speeches. These will be opportunities for you to address any criticisms and to deliver a final articulated vision to voters for what Alduria will be like with you in Parliament and your party in power.
  

 

Presidential Campaigns

• Parliamentary candidates and Prime Ministers in waiting should speak and campaign on foreign policy matters. But everyone will be looking up to guidance and tone from the party's presidential candidate. The presidential candidate should be speaking often on foreign policy, especially on how they will use the President's wide treaty-making powers.
  
• Parties won't need to field a presidential candidate if they can't pull it off. Parties can nominate an NPC if they want, but submitting an NPC means having to campaign for President as well. Not nominating a candidate enables parties to make deals with other parties for endorsements of candidates. These will be announced by parties in a joint campaign event.
  
• Presidential candidates serve as an important party leader in the eyes of voters, whether they are the actual leader of a party or not. It wil be very awkward for a presidential candidate to say one thing and for the parliamentary campaigners to say another. Coordinate messages and work together.
  

 

 

Parliamentary Campaigns

• Participants should take opportunities when possible to remind voters of key votes and legislative achievements in this last session of Parliament.
  
• Attacks on whether someone was active or a party was active in Parliament are lazy and won't get you far.
  
• Consider making posts describing the activities of other campaigners and party surrogates. You can create NPC's within your party within reason. I will tell you if you step out of line - just go for it and I'll let you know if you've stepped out of line and give you a chance to amend or change things without penalty.
  
• I understand that it can be too much to commit to posting something every day. But all participants should try to post something every day of campaigning. Failing to do so will result in your polls starting to reflect it. Think of it as the more active and engaged you are, the more your voters will solidify behind you and your party and the more you boost/motivate your base of support.
  
• Make your ads effective. Don't just make a poster saying "Vote for me" - you got to provide some information or have some sort of image that evokes a reaction and has meaning, a message.  Ads can be very effective in defining a narrative and changing impressions in voters. Don't waste them.