===== Sandbox Republic General Election of 2010 =====

The first elections in the history of the Sandbox Republic, held to determine the [[sbr president|presidency]] and composition of the [[1st Congressional Assembly]].

==== Campaigning and Overview ====

After an initial flurry of Presidential candidates, [[offtopic/Lord Roem]] quickly captured the momentum and won multiple endorsements from members of the former [[offtopic/ah.com_politics|Imperial Republic government]].  Lord Roem became the first to begin using campaign videos, a technological first for any AH.com politician.  By July 16, the presidential election became a two-person race between Lord Roem and 010camaro.  

010camaro published his [[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-3445420|campaign platform]] on July 15, listing a series of conservative policies, promising to pass an Endangered ASB Act and to work toward rehabilitating Sandbox's relations with AH.com at large.  Lord Roem published his [[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-3446203|own campaign platform]] on July 16, the foundations of which rested on constitutional reform, foreign policy, and defense.  He also announced that "Roam" by the B-52's would be his official campaign song.  On the same day, accusations emerged that 010camaro had been trying to bribe voters with promises of video games, beer and women.  He denied that he'd promised to actually deliver these things, however expressed his personal belief in them and implied he would seek to fulfill such promises if the need arose.

In the Congressional race, candidates from five political parties registered within the first couple of days:  the [[Socialist Dreamers Party]], the [[New Imperial Party]], the [[Royalist Party]], the [[Somalia Party]], the [[Motionlessness Party]], and the [[Communist Confederate Cthulhu Party]].  Alongside them were numerous independent candidates.  The [[Socialist Dreamers Party]] proved popular early on and, by July 17, appeared well on its way to winning a plurality of seats.  Several of the smaller parties struggled to win over as many members, though.  In a bid to attract more members, the [[Motionlessness Party]] briefly changed its name to the [[New Keep Everything the Way It Was Party]].  The Motionlessness Party ultimately merged with a second small party, the [[Communist Confederate Cthulhu Party]], to form the [[Motionless Cthulhu Party]].  The [[Don't Give a Damn Party]] joined the race on July 17.

After several days of surveying, the [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=161304|first polls]] were released by [[offtopic/Demosthenes]] on July 19.  The polls showed Lord Roem with a commanding lead in the presidential race:  62.1% against 010camaro's 13.8%.  In the congressional generic ballot, the Socialist Dreamers won a plurality of 31%, edging out the New Imperial Party's 24.1%.  The Royalists won a respectable 13.8%, a tie with a generic Independent candidate, while Motionless Cthulhu and Somalia trailed behind with 3.4% and 0% respectively.  Despite the press they had received, polls showed that 82.8% of voters felt campaign videos were not having much effect on their decisions.  The polls also found strong support for a Sandbox Army (71% in favor, 15% against), lukewarm support for a Supreme Court of Lulz (49% in favor, 35% against) and the proposed Gentlemen-Emisarries Bill (50% in favor, 27% against), and little support for an hereditary House of Congress (30% in favor, 49% against).

On July 20, the Sandbox Republic's Electoral Officer, [[offtopic/Demosthenes]], announced plans to end the presidential primaries and congressional nominations earlier than scheduled.  The next day, the change became official; presidential elections were now scheduled to be held over 72 hours between July 23 and 25.

As a result of its poor showings in the polls and lack of support, the [[Somalia Party]] dissolved and its members joined the [[Royalist Party]] on July 22.

Congressional nominations ended on July 23 with all but two seats filled and it was decided that a four-way tie amongst [[offtopic/January First-of-May]] (IND), [[offtopic/Ward]] (DGD), [[offtopic/Zacoftheaxes]] (MC), and [[offtopic/TimelineExplorer]] (R) for the final two seats would be determined by a by-election held July 24 and 25.

The 2010 General Elections ended July 25.  Lord Roem was elected the 1st President of the Sandbox Republic.  TimelineExplorer (R) and Zacoftheaxes (MC) won the congressional by-election.  The 1st Congressional Assembly convened on July 25, with the Socialist Dreamers Party winning a plurality while the remaining seats were held by the Motionless Cthulhu Party, the New Imperial Party, the Royalist Party, and Independents.

==== Presidential Race ====

=== Candidates ===

Registration for Presidential candidates opened on July 14, 2010. The voting was originally scheduled to close on August 6, but was rescheduled to close on July 28.  Of the candidates nominated, only the five with the most endorsements would have been allowed proceed to the final vote, with candidates are barred from running for Congress, however the election turned into a two-person race early on.

^ Candidate ^ Party ^ Nominated by ^ Date ^ Campaign HQ ^
| [[offtopic/09camaro|010camaro]] | Independent | [[offtopic/09camaro|010camaro]], [[offtopic/civfanatic]] | July 14 | [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=161108|010camaro for President of the Sandbox Republic]] |
| [[offtopic/Lord Roem]] | Independent/[[offtopic/Yorkshire Socialist Party]] | [[offtopic/Lord Roem]], [[offtopic/TheDarkServant|TheDarkMessiah]], [[offtopic/Jord839]], [[offtopic/catboy637]], [[offtopic/Hashasheen]], [[offtopic/Zacoftheaxes]], [[offtopic/Krall]], [[offtopic/mmmeee0]], [[offtopic/scifiguy|Penelope]], [[offtopic/Paladin]]  | July 14 | [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=161007|Lord Roem For Sandbox President!]] |

Several candidates ultimately withdrew their nominations:

^ Candidate ^ Party ^ Withdrew on ^ Reason ^
| [[offtopic/Zacoftheaxes]] | Independent | July 14 | Decided to support [[offtopic/Lord Roem]]'s campaign. |
| [[offtopic/Komeyta]] | Independent | July 14 | Chose to run for Congress instead. |
| [[offtopic/scifiguy|Penelope]] | [[Socialist Dreamers Party]] | July 15 | Chose to run for Congress and support [[offtopic/Lord Roem]]'s campaign instead. |
| [[offtopic/civfanatic]] | [[Motionlessness Party]] | July 15 | Decided to support [[offtopic/09camaro|010camaro]]'s campaign. |
| [[offtopic/Paladin]] | [[New Imperial Party]] | July 15 | Chose to run for Congress and support [[offtopic/Lord Roem]]'s campaign instead. |

=== Election ===

The presidential election was held from July 23 to July 25, 2010.  The results were released on July 25.

^ Candidates ^ Party ^ Votes ^ Percentage ^
| [[offtopic/09camaro|010camaro]] | Independent | 13 | 30% |
| [[offtopic/Lord Roem]] | Independent/[[offtopic/Yorkshire Socialist Party]] | 30 | 70% |

**Lord Roem** was duly elected the 1st President of the Sandbox Republic.  Turnout in this election was **43**.


==== Congressional Race ====

Registration for Congressional Assembly candidates opened on July 14, 2010 and was originally scheduled to close on August 7, but was later rescheduled to close on July 23.  Of the candidates nominated, only the twenty-three with the most endorsements were granted a seat.  A four-way tie for the final two seats will be determined by a by-election held July 24 and 25.

All candidates were barred from running for President.


**[[Socialist Dreamers Party]] Candidates**

[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=160974|Socialist Dreamer Party House!]]

^ Candidate ^ Registered ^ Endorsements ^
| [[offtopic/mmmeee0]] | July 14 | 13 |
| [[offtopic/scifiguy|Penlope]] | July 14 | 14 |
| [[offtopic/DudeAlmighty947]] | July 14 | 17 |
| [[offtopic/Pkmatrix]] | July 14 | 16 |
| [[offtopic/charl]] | July 15 | 12 |
| [[offtopic/randomideaguy]] | July 15 | 13 |
| [[offtopic/AustinMontreal]] | July 17 | 11 |
| [[offtopic/Jello_Biafra]] | July 20 | 11 |
| [[offtopic/razors are for fish]] | July 20 | 11 |
| [[offtopic/Owain]] | July 20 | 11 |

**[[New Imperial Party]] Candidates**

[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=161026|New Imperial Party HQ]]

^ Candidate ^ Registered ^ Endorsements ^
| [[offtopic/Paladin]] | July 14 | 10 |
| [[offtopic:fortyseven]] | July 15 | 11 |
| [[offtopic/Marix]] | July 21 | 10 |

**[[Royalist Party]] Candidates**

^ Candidate ^ Registered ^ Endorsements ^
| [[offtopic/TimelineExplorer]] | July 14 | 6 |
| [[offtopic:xnm|Richard Harrow]] | July 14 | 8 |
| [[offtopic/euio]] | July 19 | 8 |
| [[offtopic/LightInfa]] | July 19 | 9 |

**[[Motionless Cthulhu Party]] Candidates**

^ Candidate ^ Registered ^ Endorsements ^
| [[offtopic/civfanatic]] | July 14 | 8 |
| [[offtopic/Zacoftheaxes]] | July 14 | 6 |

**[[Don't Give a Damn Party]] Candidates**

^ Candidate ^ Registered ^ Endorsements ^
| [[offtopic/Ward]] | July 17 | 6 |

**Independent Candidates**

^ Candidate ^ Registered ^ Endorsements ^
| [[offtopic/fenkmaster|Douglas]] | July 14 | 14 |
| [[offtopic/Komeyta]] | July 14 | 9 |
| [[offtopic/kaeim]] | July 14 | 4 |
| [[offtopic/January First-of-May]] | July 14 | 6 |
| [[offtopic/TheDarkServant|TheDarkMessiah]] | July 16 | 19 |
| [[offtopic/maverick]] | July 20 | 13 |
| [[offtopic/Aero]] | July 20 | 11 |
| [[offtopic/Patriot]] | July 20 | 11 |

Several candidates ultimately withdrew their nominations:

^ Candidate ^ Party ^ Withdrew on ^ Reason ^
| [[offtopic/Lord Roem]] | Independent/[[offtopic/Yorkshire Socialist Party]] | July 15 | Chose to run for President instead. |
| [[offtopic/Demosthenes]] | Independent (Demo4Congress) | July 17 | Became Electoral Officer |

=== Congressional By-Election ===

A by-election to resolve a four-way tie for the last two seats in Congress was held from July 24 to July 25, 2010.  The results were released on July 25.

^ Candidates ^ Party ^ Votes ^ Percentage ^
| [[offtopic/TimelineExplorer]] | [[Royalist Party]] | 11 | 33% |
| [[offtopic/January First-of-May]] | Independent | 6 | 17% |
| [[offtopic/Ward]] | [[Don't Give a Damn Party]] | 6 | 17% |
| [[offtopic/Zacoftheaxes]] | [[Motionless Cthulhu Party]] | 11 | 33% |

**TimelineExplorer** and **Zacoftheaxes** were elected to Congress.  Turnout in this election was **34**.

==== See Also ====

[[Sandbox Republic]]

[[1st Congressional Assembly]]