Editing 69SwagBalls420 (section)

==== The Midterm Elections ====
'''Shitmaster LarKcuavian''''s vice-presidency turned into a deeply polarizing subject in '''SwagBallian''' society in the weeks after the election. Although detractors were already present since the very beginning, the recently attempted coup, although deeply undemocratic and aimed at mostly imaginary threats <ref group="note"> Vice-president '''LarKcuavian''' was believed to possess more executive permissions than actually present. </ref>, it showed strong fervor against the current government. It is for this reason that the '''mod team''', in all their wisdom, decided to once again allow the people of '''SwagCord''' to exercise their democratic will - for the people can truly never be wrong.

Two months into '''LarKcuavian''''s term, midterm elections were to be called, in order to elect the newly formed '''Senate''', in order to allow more server members to actively participate in the server's governance. The roles and the composition of the '''Senate''' at the time still undefined, a server-wide referendum was sent out, letting the people decide how they are to be governed - by choosing one of two hand-selected options from the always benevolent '''Party'''.

{| class="wikitable" 
! Constitutional Referendum
! Date Held
! Result
|-
| The definition of the composition of the newly-created '''Senate'''. <br> Choice between ''"3 elected representatives"'' and ''"4 elected representatives with the '''Vice-Swagsident''', appointed by the '''Swagsident''', serving as the tie-breaker."''
| style="text-align:center" | May 15th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | 3 senators <br> (93.75% in favor)
|-
| The defining of the powers of the '''Senate'''. <br> Choice between ''"advisory powers"'' and ''"binding legislative power, compensated by the expansion of the executive power of the '''Swagsident''' and '''Vice-Swagsident'''."''
| style="text-align:center" | May 15th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Advisory powers <br> (71.43% in favor)
|-
| Making the records of '''#🏛-senate''' viewable to the public.
| style="text-align:center" | May 22th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Yes <br> (63.64% in favor)
|-
|}

The election was set for May 18, with a much shorter election cycle than the previous time, and more seats to compete for.

===== NSP =====
[[File:NSP election poster.png|left|thumb|317x317px|An <b style="color:#b20040">NSP</b> election poster showing off its three candidates for the '''midterm elections'''.]]
In light of the rumors surrounding the midterm elections before their official announcement, on May 12, '''Dainis''' of the '''New SwagBalls Sharty Booru Party''' (<b style="color:#ff0000">NSSBP</b>) approached '''Chauka''', still the leader of the '''SwagBalls Democratic Party''' (<b style="color:#660080">SDP</b>), with the idea to merge the two parties into one, uniting them together to make the elections count. Together they would form the '''New SwagBalls Democratic Shartyist Party''' (<b style="color:#b20040">NSDSP</b>)!

With a past history of radical '''anti-Homestuck''' comments, including calls for their lynching, parallels were immediately drawn with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_Party an unfortunate historical acronym] the party's name seemed to evoke. The party leadership was quick to shut down such comments, and immediately searched for a way to rebrand, finally settling on the '''New Sharty Party''' (<b style="color:#b20040">NSP</b>) - a party with a platform inspired by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dario_Juri%C4%8Dan the satirical 2019 presidential campaign of Croatian political activist Dario Juričan], and a simple motto - '''"Corruption for all!"'''

A new channel was to be created, archiving the two of the previous parties, and as was custom, an emoji was to be used to represent the movement. '''Dainis''' considered a lightning bolt as a representation of corruption, but decided against it following past blunders. Instead, '''Chauka''' recommended ✴, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sun_(symbol) which was once again put into question by critics] <ref group="note"> '''Walter''' and '''LarKc'''. </ref>, before 😽👍 was finally settled on.

Despite many unfortunate coincidences that came to be as the party was being set up, as '''Charter''' was brought onto the team, the <b style="color:#b20040">NSP</b> quickly became the election favorites, with all three of its candidates expected to take a seat in '''Senate''', allowing for complete control of the legislature.

===== The Debate =====

The candidates were called for a debate on Saturday night of May 18, hours before the elections were called. Most of them seasoned politicians at this point in their careers, unlike the first time, the debate started without much issue, as candidates were called one by one to explain to the public their political motivations and why it should be them who should capture their vote that night. And it all went as expected until '''Xertun''' showed up.

Hailing from the gambling-oriented catposting server '''Xertuncord''', its owner recently joined the server, along with many of its other prominent users, following a partnership with '''SwagCord''', which included the reopening of the '''#🤑-gambling''' channel and integration of the Discord stock-trading bot '''Purrtun'''. Although knowing certain people in the server, '''Xertun''' for the most part remained ignorant of what went on in the server. Allegedly, he was not even aware this was a '''Senate''' election, but a race for president. And so, when it came his turn to set an agenda, he replied with a simple "hallo" and waved goodbye.

The audience was immediately swayed in his favor, a mostly unknown independent candidate suddenly stood front and center. As the questions kept piling on, as the other candidates gave paragraphs upon paragraphs of long answers, '''Xertun''' captured the hearts of the people with unseen honesty and earnestness. Not knowing what question he was even answering, he opened up '''Minecraft''' in the middle of the debate, never letting go of the absolutely clueless demeanor. In that moment, everyone in the audience saw themselves in '''Xertun'''.

===== Results =====
{| class=" infobox" style="width:400px;"
|+The May 2024 SwagBalls Midterm Election
|colspan = 3 style="font-size:120%;text-align:center"| '''May 18-19, 2024'''
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| ←[[User:WalterWhiteOnWiki#The_March_Elections|March 2024]]<ref group="note"> Link should lead to the SwagBalls wiki, not '''Walter''''s user page </ref>
|
|style="text-align:right;"| November 2024→
|-
|colspan=3 style="text-align:center;"| 3 votes allowed per voter <br> 3 candidates with the most votes win
|-

|-
|'''Turnout''' 
|colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"| [[File:ElectionArrowUp.png|12px]]125% of registered voters <ref group="editor's note"> Representing approximately 1.3% of the total population. Due to an error in creating the election poll, non-registered voters were allowed to vote. It is unlikely that the results were majorly affected. </ref>
|-
| || [[File:Chaukaelectionspfp.png|center|150x150px]] ||[[File:XertunposterPFPelections.png|center|150x150px]]
|-
| '''Nominee''' 
|style="text-align:center;"| '''Chauka'''
|style="text-align:center;"|'''Xertunposter'''
|-
|'''Party''' 
|style="text-align:center;"| '''New Shartyist Party'''
|style="text-align:center;"|'''Independent'''
|-
|'''Votes''' 
|style="text-align:center;"| '''12'''
|style="text-align:center;"| '''11'''
|-
|'''Percentage 
|style="text-align:center;"| '''60%''' [[File:ElectionLine.png|12px]]
|style="text-align:center;"| '''55%''' [[File:ElectionLine.png|12px]]
|-
|
|[[File:CharterMidtermElections.png|center|150x150px]]
|[[File:KokneseMidtermElection.png|center|150x150px]]
|-
|'''Nominee'''
|style="text-align:center;"|'''Charter'''
|style="text-align:center;"|Dainis Koknese
|-
|'''Party'''
|style="text-align:center;"|'''New Shartyist Party'''
|style="text-align:center;"|New Shartyist Party
|-
|'''Votes'''
|style="text-align:center;"| '''8'''
|style="text-align:center;"| 7
|-
|'''Percentage '''
|style="text-align:center;"| '''40%''' [[File:ElectionLine.png|12px]]
|style="text-align:center;"| 35% [[File:ElectionLine.png|12px]]
|-
|
|[[File:FlamingTesticleElection.png|center|150x150px]]
|[[File:BallistyxPFPelections.png|center|150x150px]]
|-
|'''Nominee'''
|style="text-align:center;"| Flaming Testicle (left)
|style="text-align:center;"| Ballistyx
|-
|'''Party'''
|style="text-align:center;"| Swagstuck Funny Peter Party
|style="text-align:center;"| The Communist Party <br> of Swagcord <br> (Party-endorsed)
|-
|'''Votes'''
|style="text-align:center;"| 5
|style="text-align:center;"| 3
|-
|'''Percentage '''
|style="text-align:center;"| 25% [[File:ElectionLine.png|12px]]
|style="text-align:center;"| 15% [[File:ElectionLine.png|12px]]
|-
|
|[[File:SwaggerPFPelections.png|center|150x150px]]
|[[File:Anonymous emblem.svg|center|150x150px]]
|-
|'''Nominee'''
|style="text-align:center;"| Swagger Sr.
|style="text-align:center;"| Empty Ballot
|-
|'''Party'''
|style="text-align:center;"| Independent
|style="text-align:center;"| Anarchist Party
|-
|'''Votes'''
|style="text-align:center;"| 1
|style="text-align:center;"| 5
|-
|'''Percentage '''
|style="text-align:center;"| 5% [[File:ElectionLine.png|12px]]
|style="text-align:center;"| 25% [[File:ElectionLine.png|12px]]
|-
|colspan = 3 style="font-size:120%;text-align:center"| <br> '''Composition of the 1st SwagBallian Congress'''
|-
|colspan = 3 style="font-size:120%;text-align:center"| [[File:SwagBalls1stCongress.png|400x254px]]
|-
| colspan = 3 |'''Political groups:''' <br> 
* <b style="color:#b20040">New Shartyist Party</b> (2) <br> 
* '''Independent''' (1)
|}

The greatest kind of leader is one who does not wish to even be one. '''Xertun''''s performance during the debate has been credited by many to have been the sole reason for such a strong showing during voting night. Had he not been in the race, it is expected that his seat would have gone to '''Dainis''', allowing for total <b style="color:#b20040">NSP</b> control of the '''Senate'''. Instead, an air of incompetent cluelessness runs through the '''Senate''' halls, and '''Xertun''''s approval ratings could not be higher.

'''Chauka''' and '''Charter''', the remaining top figureheads of the <b style="color:#b20040">NSP</b>, took the remaining two seats. Although belonging to the same political party, it is important to note that they did not vote uniformly in favor of all of proposed bills. Each '''senator''' reserves the right to vote independently on each proposal, no matter their political affiliation.

Below sits a record of all legislative actions taken by the '''1st Congress''' during their two month term, as well as the fate of each bill. Following a server-wide referendum, any words spoken in the chambers of the '''Senate''' are a matter of public record, viewable in '''#🏛-the-senate''', and condensed in this article for convenient viewing. The '''mod team''' reserved the exclusive right to veto any legislation it deemed a threat to the current democratic order of the server.

{| class="wikitable" 
|+ Votes of the 1st Congress
! Legislative proposal
! Latest Action
! Current Status
|-
| The striking down of the total ban on '''Homestuck''' imposed by the '''Walter-LarKcuavian''' administration.
| style="text-align:center;" | May 19th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Passed 3-0 <br> Signed into Law
|-
| The imposing of a total ban on [https://ishowspeed.fandom.com/wiki/Darren%20Watkins%20Jr.'''speedposting'''].
| style="text-align:center;" | May 19th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Passed 3-0 <br> Signed into Law
|-
| The extension of '''girard Weekends''' to three days, covering Mondays.
| style="text-align:center;" | May 20th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Passed 2-1 <br> Signed into Law
|-
| The cutting of '''greenie welfare''' in order to pay for '''Congress''' salaries.
| style="text-align:center;" | May 20th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Passed 2-0 <br> Signed into Law
|-
| The unbanning of the word '''Ragecord''' and all of its variants.
| style="text-align:center;" | May 22th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Passed 2-1 <br> Signed into Law
|-
| The creation of the '''#🕳-people-of-the-pit''' channel to publicly announce bans and pits in an organized fashion.
| style="text-align:center;" | May 23th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Passed 3-0 <br> Signed into Law
|-
| Telling '''Walter''' to go fuck himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | May 23th, 2024
| style="background:#ffc7c7; text-align:center" | Failed 1-2
|-
| The taking of '''Shitmaster LarKcuavian''''s '''Senate''' perms away.
| style="text-align:center;" | May 25th, 2024
| style="background:#ffc7c7; text-align:center" | Vetoed
|-
| Telling '''Decoherence''' to go fuck himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | May 28th, 2024
| style="background:#ffc7c7; text-align:center" | Vetoed
|-
| The opening of a channel every user but '''Shitmaster LarKcuavian''' has access to.
| style="text-align:center;" | May 28th, 2024
| style="background:#ffc7c7; text-align:center" | Vetoed
|-
| The unbanning of the word "retarded".
| style="text-align:center;" | May 31st, 2024
| style="background:#ffc7c7; text-align:center" | Failed 1-2
|-
| Bringing back '''#⚽-sportsball''' for 24 hours, allowing each member to post a single message.
| style="text-align:center;" | June 2nd, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Passed 3-0 <br> Signed into Law
|-
| The holding of a birthday party for '''Xertun''' (I).
| style="text-align:center;" | June 7th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Passed 3-0 <br> Signed into Law
|-
| Making '''The Senate''' floor the '''senators'''' to use as they please.
| style="text-align:center;" | June 10th, 2024
| style="background:#ffc7c7; text-align:center" | Failed 1-0 <br> <ref group="note">Chauka (NSP) and Xertun (I) abstained.</ref> <ref group="note"> '''The Senate''' has ''de facto'' been used for any purpose the '''senators''' wished since inception regardless. </ref>
|-
| The commending of '''the Senate''' for their amazing work and immense contribution to the server.
| style="text-align:center;" | June 17th, 2024
| style="background:#ffc7c7; text-align:center" | Vetoed
|-
| The legalization of bullying users with '''Picrew avatars'''.
| style="text-align:center;" | June 25th, 2024
| style="background:#ffc7c7; text-align:center" | Failed 1-2
|-
| Making '''Charter''''s kittens the mascots of the server.
| style="text-align:center;" | July 5th, 2024
| style="background:#9eff9e; text-align:center" | Passed 2-0 <br> Signed into Law
|-
| Allowing '''Dainis''' to run in the elections again after being disqualified for voter fraud.
| style="text-align:center;" | July 15th, 2024
| style="background:#ffc7c7; text-align:center" | Vetoed
|}