Tweaked US Constitution

I've recently become quite enamored of the idea of overlapping terms for elected officials, like how the US Senate has 1/3 of its seats up for election in any given year. So, what if the US Constitution implemented this to a greater degree? My proposal is as follows:

- Each state is represented by 3 Senators, rather than 2, so that, no matter the number of states, each state has the opportunity to send a new Senator to Washington every 2 years. Terms remain 6 years.
- Every congressional district is represented by 2 Representatives, with one being elected in even years, and the other being elected in odd years. Terms remain 2 years, so that, every year, half of Congress is up for election.
- Every 3 years, a presidential election is held. The winner becomes the Vice President, and serves as such for 3 years, before assuming the role of President upon the election of a new vice president. (so, for example, in 1800, Jefferson is elected, and serves as VP for 3 years under President Adams, then Madison runs in 1803, becomes VP, and serves for 3 years under President Jefferson). The VP will need some additional powers, in order to give him something to do for the 3 years.
 

iddt3

Donor
I've recently become quite enamored of the idea of overlapping terms for elected officials, like how the US Senate has 1/3 of its seats up for election in any given year. So, what if the US Constitution implemented this to a greater degree? My proposal is as follows:

- Each state is represented by 3 Senators, rather than 2, so that, no matter the number of states, each state has the opportunity to send a new Senator to Washington every 2 years. Terms remain 6 years.
- Every congressional district is represented by 2 Representatives, with one being elected in even years, and the other being elected in odd years. Terms remain 2 years, so that, every year, half of Congress is up for election.
- Every 3 years, a presidential election is held. The winner becomes the Vice President, and serves as such for 3 years, before assuming the role of President upon the election of a new vice president. (so, for example, in 1800, Jefferson is elected, and serves as VP for 3 years under President Adams, then Madison runs in 1803, becomes VP, and serves for 3 years under President Jefferson). The VP will need some additional powers, in order to give him something to do for the 3 years.
So presidents are effectively term limited to one three year term?
 
So presidents are effectively term limited to one three year term?

I think a president could in theory run for the vice-presidency while in office. So someone could serve multiple terms but not continuously. A bit like the countries that don't impose absolute term limits but do limit the number of contiguous terms in that respect.
 
Hmm, if I was going to change anything about term lengths for offices in the United States I would swap the number of years Presidents and Senators serve. It only makes sense that as you work your way up the federal hierarchy your term is longer. This simply satisfies my desire for order that comes from being an engineer.

So...House is 2 years, Senate is 4 and President is 6.

I do like all of your other proposals here though. Very orderly. I even like the House elections every year, but I do fear it would prevent any actual governing from happening as there would be constant elections.
 
- Every 3 years, a presidential election is held. The winner becomes the Vice President, and serves as such for 3 years, before assuming the role of President upon the election of a new vice president. (so, for example, in 1800, Jefferson is elected, and serves as VP for 3 years under President Adams, then Madison runs in 1803, becomes VP, and serves for 3 years under President Jefferson). The VP will need some additional powers, in order to give him something to do for the 3 years.

There are big problem with this. It creates a three-year lag between the decision of the people and the winner taking office. Every President is effectively a true lame duck - his replacement already chosen.

And it also creates a three-year lag for an incumbent losing party leaving office. Suppose Federalist candidate Adams wins in 1927, and Federalist Blake wins in 1930. Adams as President then brings on the Great Depression. In 1933, Progressive candidate Clark wins in a landslide. However, Blake becomes President for three years, and continues Adams' policies. That would be explosive.

Then there is the question of succession. Obviously, the Vice President could be and frequently would be of a different party. Questions of impeachment of the President, or his removal for medical incapacity, would be contaminated by partisanship.
 
I do like all of your other proposals here though. Very orderly. I even like the House elections every year, but I do fear it would prevent any actual governing from happening as there would be constant elections.

Only for half the House at any given time.
 
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