For Commentary by the Populace
Barony of Skraeling Althing
The intent of these amendments are to bring the Baronial By-laws in alignment with the requirements of the Kingdom Laws. Clarification of the requirements of candidates and more inclusive planning for the candidates meetings.
The current by-laws are available here:
https://www.skraelingalthing.com/docs/Skraeling_Althing_By-Laws_web2015.pdf
BY-LAW 7: SELECTION OF BARON AND BARONESS
7.1 The Process The traditional term for a Baron and Baroness is five years, though shorter terms are permitted. This selection process is initiated at the discretion of the Baron and Baroness with the approval of Their Royal Majesties. In conjunction with the Baronial Seneschal, the Baron and Baroness will develop a time line of the process, a polling strategy, and a communications strategy. The selection process includes the following steps:
• Official announcement in court
• Request for letters of intent
• Review of applicants by Their Royal Majesties
• Official introduction of candidates in court
• Candidates’ meetings
• Polling
• Counting of the ballots
• Advising Their Royal Majesties of outcome of poll
• Decision by Their Royal Majesties
• Notifying candidates of Their Majesties’ decision
• Announcement of Heirs in court
7.2 Qualification requirements for candidates
• Member is good standing with the SCA
• Reside within the boundaries of the Barony
• 18 years of age and above
7.3 The Request for Letters of Intent shall be published on the Barony website and in the Chronicle (if time permits). It shall include an explicit deadline for when letters are due to be submitted to the selection committee. This deadline may be no less than four weeks from the date the request for letters is published. Letters of Intent should include candidates’ membership numbers, as well as the candidates’ SCA resumes.
7.4 Candidate Meetings shall be held in each canton, to allow the members a chance to engage the candidates to aid the members in making their decision. Scheduling of candidate meetings will be at the discretion of the Baronial Seneschal in co-ordination with the Cantons and candidates. All candidate meetings are open to everyone, and members may attend as many as they choose. An explanation of how the polling will be conducted shall be handed out at each meeting.
7.5 Ballots shall list all candidates in alphabetical order by the SCA name. Each candidate will be listed in the following manner:
• In cases where the candidate is two persons of opposite gender, the name of the male person shall be used to determine ballot order.
• In the case where the candidate is two persons of same gender, the person whose name is alphabetically first shall be used to determine ballot order
• In the case where the candidate is an individual instead of a couple, their name shall be used to determine alphabetical ballot order.
7.6 Polling and Tallying
https://ealdormere.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Laws-of-the-Kingdom-of-Ealdormere-April-2026.pdf
Polling and Tallying shall follow Kingdom Law as found in Section 5.3 with the addition of the following requirements and procedures.
Members must show their membership card and sign into a polling station to ensure that each member is eligible and votes only once: one person, one ballot. There is only one round of polling. All ballots are put into an envelope that is sealed at the close of the polls. The persons in charge of the polling station will sign the envelope once it is sealed.
Members must be at least 16 years of age to be eligible to participate in polling.
Members may register their ballot in advance. To do this members must request a ballot from the Baronial Seneschal, then seal their completed ballot in an envelope with their name, canton and membership number written on the outside, which is then sealed in a blank envelope. The envelope is then given to their local seneschal. The Baronial Seneschal is required to track who requested an advance ballot to ensure that all advanced ballots are included in the final count.
7.7 Access to Polling Results Polling results shall be sealed and confidential. No member may have access to the results of the poll. No exceptions can be made to this rule (i.e., candidates also may not have access to the results).