Preamble
We, the free and sovereign people of the Vermont Republic, united in our quest for liberty, justice, and prosperity, mindful of our rich heritage and natural beauty, and determined to establish a government that reflects our values and aspirations, do ordain and establish this Constitution, ensuring that equality and opportunity are afforded to every individual, and that the principles of democracy and the rule of law prevail in the aftermath of our peaceful separation from Laurentia.
CHAPTER I: DECLARATION OF CITIZEN RIGHTS
Article 1: Fundamental Rights
All persons are born free and equal, possessing inherent and inalienable rights, including the rights to defend life and liberty, property acquisition, and the pursuit of happiness. Slavery and indentured servitude, in any form, are prohibited.
Article 2: Property Rights
Private property shall be respected and may be subject to reasonable regulation for public use, with compensation provided to the owner when appropriated for public necessity.
Article 3: Government Accountability
All governmental power derives from the people, who delegate it to elected officials. Public officers, whether legislative or executive, are trustees of the people and shall be accountable to them through transparent and legal means.
Article 4: Purpose of Government
Government exists for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, not for the personal advantage of any individual or group. The people have the inherent right to reform or alter government in pursuit of the public good.
Article 5: Free and Fair Elections
Elections shall be conducted freely, fairly, and without corruption. All citizens shall have the right to elect officials and to stand for election themselves, in accordance with regulations established by this Constitution.
Article 6: Right to Trial by Jury
The right to trial by jury shall be preserved and shall be held inviolate when issues of fact appropriate for jury consideration are raised in legal proceedings.
Article 7: Freedom of Expression
The people shall have the right to freedom of speech, press, and expression, including the right to criticise and publish their views on government actions without fear of censorship or reprisal.
Article 8: Legislative Powers
The General Assembly shall hold exclusive authority to suspend or enact laws, ensuring such powers are exercised only under conditions prescribed by this Constitution or by legislative mandate.
Article 9: Right to Emigrate
All citizens have the natural right to emigrate from the Vermont Republic to any state willing to receive them.
Article 10: Right to Assembly and Petition
The people shall have the right to assemble for lawful purposes, instruct their representatives, and petition the General Assembly for the redress of grievances.
CHAPTER II: GOVERNMENT
Section 1: Structure of Government
The Vermont Republic shall be governed by a system comprising a President, a Vice President, a General Assembly, and a judiciary, as hereinafter prescribed.
Section 2: Legislative Powers
The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a unicameral General Assembly consisting of a House of Representatives.
Section 3: Executive Powers
The supreme executive power shall be vested in the President, who shall serve as the chief executive of the Vermont Republic.
Section 4: Judicial Powers
The judicial power shall be vested in a unified judicial system, including a Supreme Court and subordinate courts established by the General Assembly.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall be elected by a majority vote of the sitting Justices of the Supreme Court. The term of the Chief Justice shall be for two months, with the possibility of re-election. In the event of a tie during the election of the Chief Justice, the decision shall be made by the General Assembly through a simple majority vote. The Chief Justice shall have administrative authority over the Supreme Court and shall represent the judiciary in all official capacities.
The judiciary can review laws and executive actions to determine their constitutionality, potentially invalidating laws or actions that conflict with the Constitution.
The courts have the power to adjudicate disputes between individuals, organisations, and government entities.
The judiciary has the power to establish legal precedents through its rulings, guiding future interpretations and applications of the law.
Section 5: Separation of Powers
The legislative, executive, and judicial branches shall be separate and distinct, with each exercising only those powers delegated by this Constitution.
Section 6: Legislative Transparency
The proceedings of the General Assembly shall be open to the public, except when the welfare of the nation necessitates confidentiality.
Section 7: Executive Approval of Legislation
Bills passed by the General Assembly shall require the approval of the President before becoming law.
The President may veto a bill within 48 hours, providing valid reasons. However, the President cannot veto a bill in regards to impeachment, and cannot veto a bill if there is a 3/4 majority vote from the House on the second submission of the bill.
Bills can only sit in the House for 48 hours, and only a simple majority vote is required for a bill to be passed. In the event of a tie, the President shall have the deciding vote.
Section 8: Representation in the General Assembly
The General Assembly shall consist of 8 Representatives elected from anywhere in the nation, ensuring diverse and equal representation.
The President may vote in the House alongside the Representatives. Judicial powers and the Cabinet may not vote in the House.
Residency Requirement for Representatives: A representative must be a resident of the Vermont Republic for at least 5 days before being eligible to stand for election.
Section 9: Executive Powers of the President
The President shall have authority to appoint officials in their Cabinet, execute laws, conduct foreign affairs, grant pardons, and remit fines, subject to limitations prescribed by law or this Constitution.
Residency Requirement for President: The President must be a resident of the Vermont Republic for at least 15 days before being eligible to stand for election.
The Cabinet shall include the following positions, filled by the President upon election:
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of the Treasury
- Secretary of Defence
- Secretary of the Interior
- Secretary of Culture
- Secretary of Infrastructure
Cabinet Responsibilities: The Cabinet shall advise the President on policy matters, manage their respective departments, implement government policies, draft legislation for consideration by the General Assembly, oversee the budget and financial management of their departments, communicate government policies to the public, coordinate responses to national emergencies, represent the government in international relations relevant to their departments, and ensure ethical standards and accountability within their departments.
Treasury Withdrawals: Only the President and the Secretary of the Treasury shall have the authority to withdraw funds from the Treasury.
Section 10: Executive Succession and Cabinet Vacancies
In the event of any vacancies in the Cabinet, the President may fill such vacancies without requiring a vote. If the President is absent for more than 5 days, the Vice President shall assume control until the President returns or until the next election cycle. If the Vice President is unresponsive, the General Assembly may elect a member of the Cabinet to take charge.
Section 11: Judicial Independence
The judiciary shall operate independently of the legislative and executive branches, with judges appointed based on merit and subject to confirmation by the General Assembly.
Section 12: Amendment Process
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by a 2/3 vote of the General Assembly and ratified by a majority vote of the Cabinet, alongside with approval from the Chief Justice.
Section 13: Governmental Transitions
Existing laws and governmental structures shall remain in effect until superseded or amended in accordance with this Constitution. The transition to new governance shall be managed with continuity and respect for legal norms.
Section 14: Election Cycles
Elections for the President and Representatives shall take place one week before the start of each month. Newly elected officials shall assume their positions immediately upon certification of the election results.
The President can only serve two consecutive terms and must abstain from running for at least one month after serving two consecutive terms.
Section 15: Supremacy Clause
This Constitution, and laws made pursuant to it, shall be the supreme law of the Vermont Republic, binding on all branches of government and citizens.
Section 16: Impeachment Process
The General Assembly shall have the power to order impeachments, which shall, in all cases, be by a vote of two-thirds of its members. Every officer of the nation, whether judicial or executive, shall be liable to be impeached by the General Assembly either when in office or after resignation or removal for maladministration.
Impeachment proceedings must first be brought to the Supreme Court with evidence of the President violating the Constitution. If the Supreme Court finds sufficient evidence, it shall grant the General Assembly the power to vote on impeachment.
The General Assembly shall have the sole power of trying and deciding upon all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. Judgement in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office and disqualification to hold or enjoy any office of honour, profit, or trust, under this State.
Adopted on February 29, 2024 (Revised on July 9, 2024)
By the People of the Vermont Republic