PREAMBLE

We, the citizens of the Ohio River Valley of the Junior State of America, in order to practice and learn about the democratic process, encourage open discussion of current and past social and political issues, and develop leadership among our citizens, do hereby ordain and establish this Constitution of the Junior State of America Ohio River Valley.

Article I: NAME

Section 1

The name of the State shall be the Ohio River Valley of the Junior State of America. This name is defined as chapters within the state boundaries of Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and any chapters of Southeastern Indiana that wish to participate in Ohio River Valley affairs.

Article II: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

Citizens are defined as high school students belonging to an official tax paid chapter with an approved chapter constitution.

Section 2

Citizens shall not be denied the right to participate in state activities, including, but not limited to, the right to attend state functions, the right to hold office, and the right to vote in state elections.

Section 3

Citizens shall not be denied a republican form of government. Citizens may initiate legislation within the Council of Chapter Presidents through a petition signed by citizens numbering at least ten percent (10%) of the attendance of the last overnight convention. Signatures from at least three chapters must comprise this ten percent (10%).

Section 4

Citizens shall be informed of state affairs regularly by a printed and/or electronic newsletter available to all Chapter Presidents, issued by the Governor’s office.

Section 5

Citizens shall not have the above rights revoked without the due process of law.

Article III: OFFICERS

Section 1

The executive authority of the state shall rest in the office of the Governor.

Section 2

The Governor shall be elected at the Spring State Convention for a one year term. The election shall be by roll call, open to all citizens of the state in attendance. The Governor must capture a majority of all votes cast, with runoff elections as needed to achieve a majority.

Section 3

The authority of the Governor includes overseeing state conventions. In addition, the Governor shall oversee other internal state affairs including, but not limited to, suggestion legislation to the Council of Chapter Presidents and facilitating inter-chapter communication. To this end, the Governor shall appoint a cabinet subject to the approval of the majority of the Council of Chapter Presidents. The Governor may not serve as his/her Chapter Representative. The Governor shall be required to report on the status of the state at every convention.

Section 4

The Governor shall have the right to veto any action of the Council of Chapter Presidents. The Council of Chapter Presidents can override a veto by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote.

Section 5

The Lieutenant Governor shall work to advance the state in cooperation with the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor shall not have the authority to remove the Governor.

Section 6

The Governor can be impeached and removed from office by a majority of the Council of Chapter Presidents. All impeachment proceedings are to be held in public. The Governor may be impeached if he or she fails to execute the office to which he or she was elected, if it is determined that the Governor has deliberately tampered with the Electoral Process, or if the Governor misuses the resources of the state for personal endeavors.

Section 7

The Lieutenant Governor shall be elected separately from the Governor, in the same manner as that prescribed for the election of the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor shall act as Governor if the office of Governor is vacated. If the office of the Lieutenant Governor should be vacated, the Governor shall determine the method in which the vacancy is filled.

Section 8

Mayors and Vice-Mayors shall run separately and shall be elected, in the same manner as Governor and Lieutenant Governor, by a majority vote, at Spring State by the region the mayor will be governing.

Article IV: ELECTIONS

Section 1

The Lieutenant Governor and/or a designee of the Governor will preside over the elections.

Section 2

If the Lieutenant Governor or Governor’s designee is running for an office, the Governor shall appoint the head of the Fair Election Committee.

Section 3

A Fair Election Committee will be selected consisting of the committee head, defined by Sections 1 and 2, and at least two (2) other non-partisan members.

Article V: COUNCIL OF CHAPTER PRESIDENTS

Section 1

There shall be a Council of Chapter Presidents who will write and pass laws necessary for the functioning of the state.

Section 2

Each tax paid chapter shall select one member of their chapter to sit on the Council of Chapter Presidents. The manner in which this representative is selected is deferred to the chapter. Each chapter receives one vote on the Council. A simple majority is needed to pass legislation. The Council may override a Governor’s veto with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members present and voting.

Section 3

The Council of Chapter Presidents shall meet at least once at every convention. Representation of fifty percent (50%) of all chapters in attendance at the convention is needed for the council to meet.

Section 4

The Council of Chapter Presidents can pass laws with a two thirds (2/3) vote.

Section 5

To amend this Constitution, the amendment must be passed by a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the Council of Chapter Presidents present at a Junior State convention.

Section 6

Amendments and laws may be proposed by any member of the Council of Chapter Presidents meeting at any of the Junior State conventions.

Section 7

The Lieutenant Governor shall preside over the meetings of the Council of Chapter Presidents

Section 8

The Lieutenant Governor shall have the authority to cast a deciding vote in the Council if the vote is tied.

Article VI: ADOPTION

Section 1

This Constitution shall take effect upon the approval of a three fourths (3/4) majority of the Council of Chapter Presidents.