From the current version of Baronial Custom
IV. The Baronage.
1. Selection and Review
a. The Baron and/or Baroness of the Barony (the “Baronage”) will be selected and reviewed as set forth in Kingdom Law.
b. The election policies of the Barony are set forth in Schedule B of this Custom.
2. Term. The Baronage will serve for a term as defined in Kingdom law.
Schedule B
The Election Polices for the Baronage of the Barony Beyond the Mountain
All capitalized terms in this Schedule A will retain their meanings as defined in the Baronial Custom.
I. The election policies of the Barony as regards the Baronage (the “Election Policies”) will conform to the election policies of the SCA and the Kingdom as regards the Baronage.
II. Election Process.
1. Timing.
a. No later than one year prior to the end of the current Baronage’s term, the Seneschal or their designee will:
i. commence the planning process for the Major Event to install the new Baronage (the “Investiture”). Event planning at this stage will consist of a minimum of the selection of a month mutually acceptable to the Barony and the outgoing Baronage for Investiture.
ii. determine the current polling procedure as set forth by the Governing Documents and Kingdom Law, ascertain the materials and timetable required, and convey this information to the Populace at the Meeting.
iii. contact the royalty regarding the proposed Investiture date as soon as possible.
b. No later than nine months prior to the month selected for Investiture the Seneschal or their designee will issue a call for nominations of candidates. This will include but not be limited to announcements at Meetings, announcements on the Baronial Yahoogroup email list, and publication in the Newsletter and the Kingdom newsletter.
i. Candidates will nominate themselves. No one may nominate a third party.
ii. Nominations must be sent to the Seneschal or their designee, and the Baronage.
iii. Nominations may be sent via first class mail or email.
iv. Nominations must include proof of eligibility.
v. Eligible nominations will be announced by the Seneschal or their designee at Meetings, on the Baronial Yahoogroup email list, and published in the Newsletter on an ongoing basis.
c. No later than seven months prior to the month selected for Investiture the Seneschal or their designee will commence the selection of a form of ballot. The decision of the form of ballot will be made by the Populace as set forth in Section VI(4) of the Custom.
d. No later than six months prior to the date selected for Investiture nominations will close and the Seneschal or their designee will finalize the form of ballot and send it to the Kingdom for approval.
e. No later than four months prior to the date selected for Investiture, the Seneschal or their designee will send the ballots to those members of the Populace who are eligible to vote as determined by the Governing Documents and Kingdom Law. Ballots will include:
i. The form of ballot;
ii. A self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of the ballot;
iii. A copy of the election issue of the Newsletter.
2. Newsletter.
A special edition of the Newsletter will be prepared for the election, containing the following:
a. The sections of Kingdom Law that address pollings for the Baronage;
b. The Election Policies of the Barony;
c. The list of candidates, including both SCA and legal names;
d. If they so choose, letters from the candidates, subject to the following guidelines:
i. One letter per candidate or candidate slate;
ii. The subject matter is at the candidates’ discretion;
iii. Letters may be up to 1,000 words in length;
iv. Letters must be received by the deadline for publication set by the chronicler;
v. Letters will be published without editing by the chronicler; and
vi. Letters may be submitted in any format legible to the chronicler;
e. The special edition of the Newsletter will be published as usual, and will also be printed and sent with the ballots. Funds necessary for the printing will be provided by the Barony and will not require approval by the Financial Committee.
III. Changes to the Election Policy.
The Election Policy may be amended at any time by the following process:
1. The proposed changes must be presented by a paid member, in writing, to the Seneschal and the Baronage.
2. The proposed changes must be discussed and voted upon by the Populace present at a regular Meeting. The changes will be deemed approved upon receipt of a simple majority.
3. Approved changes must be published in the Newsletter.
