MCS vote on the Strait of Haifa

MCS member states' vote on the motion to add the name "Strait of Haifa" to the Physical map of the Micronational Cartography Society.
Date raised	18 December 2017
Date passed	21 December 2017
Voting summary	26 voted for 2 voted against 2 abstained 4 absent
Result	Motion adopted
Subject	Strait of Haifa
Forum link	"Add "Strait of Haifa" to the physical map"

The Micronational Cartography Society (MCS) undertook an extraordinary vote amongst its member nations on 18 December 2017 following a proposal by the Senyan representative to officially recognise the name Strait of Haifa on its physical map.. Although usually modifications to the claimsmap are made by a simple majority of the MCS council, under §21 (2) of the Charter of the MCS, that amendments to other maps are done with the approval of three-quarters of council members. However, due to a misinterpretation, the charter rules were assumed to mean that three-quarters of nations on Micras were required to vote, and as such all 34 MCS member states at the time of the opening of the vote were invited to cast their vote on the issue. Ultimately, 76.5% of states backed the proposal. The MCS decided to follow the precedence of the MCS vote on the pixel size of the claimsmap to require a Micras-wide vote on the issue.

Background

The body of water in question had been mapped by the MCS since its second series of maps. Running from North to South through the continent of Keltia, the body of water, which had been presumed as being a river, was criticised for being geographically impossible, noting its lack of a source, a problem that lead some independent Micrasian cartographers to map the strait as two seperate rivers. However, the issue was settled in 2015 after a poll by one such cartographer, Shyriath Bukolos, resulted in a majority of respondents voted to view the sea as a narrow sea, with explanations being offered such as the area being a rift valley or two tectonic plates moving away from each other. Following this, the sea was named the Strait of Haifa by some cartographers, after the country that lay at the middle of its course. Usage of the name continued to grow, with one nation, the Maritime Markets of the Strait of Haifa, being named after it. In light of its increased use of this name, Barnaby Hands nominated that the name be officially recognised on the MCS's official physical map of Micras.

Voting rationales

Supporters of the proposal noted that the name had become so commonly used by Micrasians, that it should be recognised officially. They pointed to the nation of the Maritime Markets being named after the Strait as evidence of its popularity. Senya provided the main statement of support during voting.

Kalgachia offered the main statement of opposition during the voting, noting that the apparent overlooking of more ancient names of the area, though ultimately Kalgachia abstained from the vote. Neither Gerenia or Mercury, the only two nations to vote against the proposal, offered a reason for their votes at the time of the vote, however Mercury later announced the reason for voting against was a wish to avoid officially naming a major geographical feature after one nation that happened to reside there at the time.

Voting outcome

The vote was overseen by MCS councillor Barnaby Hands, with all 34 member states of the MCS as of 18 December 2017 eligible to vote. Of the 34 eligible states to vote, 30 did so. Of the four states that did not vote, three offered no reason as to why they did so, however Gotzborg declined to vote due to their negotiations with Stormark about the future status of the country. The voting was declared over once a result had been ascertained. During the course of the vote, Mercury changed their vote from abstain to opposition due to Hands' ruling that they could not vote for both options. Of the three nations that lay along the Strait of Haifa at the time, two (Caputia and the Strait of Haifa) voted for the proposal whilst Pontus were absent from voting.

Vote	States	Quantity	% of MCS members
Approve	Birgeshir, Brettish Isles, Caputia, Constancia, Coria, Domolica, Eklesia, Florian Republic, Freeland, Hoenn, Jingdao, Juclandia, Krasnarus, Natopia, Nova England, Passio-Corum, Raspur, Senya, Shireroth, Stormark, Strait of Haifa, Tellia, Treisenberg, Vyktory, Xang Muang	26	76.5%
Reject	Gerenia, Mercury	2	5.9%
Abstain	Craitland, Kalgachia	2	5.9%
Absent	Gotzborg, Lostisland, Pontus, Réunion	4	11.7%
Total	–	34	100%

See also

• MCS vote on the pixel size of the claimsmap
• MCS vote of confidence in Craitman as Administrator-General