Council Election FAQ

What's the Council?

The Arcana Council has had many purposes throughout our history. At times it has brought out the best in us, but during the last incarnation as our memories reveal it was often riven with disagreements and failed to advance the common good. We have sought to restore the original mission of the Council:


With the Oni defeated and the cycle broken, the nature of these missions and our fate has changed in ways that we collectively must interpret. The Council is charged with representing all of us in interpreting and fulfilling these goals. And while the nature of this mission continues, we all thought that elections would be the best place to start anew. The Council was hardly the only institution failing in its duties in the prior era, and like the nation to which most of us pledge allegiance – though we benefit from the range of other nations represented – we believe that democracy is the best step towards avoiding such problems in the future. Who started this incarnation of the council?

While Sho yet lived, select Major Arcana and Minor allies worked to organize efforts to defeat the Oni and the mad Magician. Sho was a force of disunion and chaos that undermined any collaboration through trickery or raw force. The divisions he sewed among us, abetted by the Reversed, and his preclusion of proper mentoring of the next generation, produced pain that continues today. We would not have defeated our enemies without the aid of teams of often violent Arcana working together. However, in this case healing required first gathering those Majors and Minors that worked as individuals, as they were better able to establish a common ground. This quorum of Arcana filled roughly half of the Council positions, charged with preparing for the day when we could all come together again and form a full Council.

Who has been elected thus far?

The Council traditionally has nine seats, two for each suit and one Major Arcana. We have decided that the Minor Arcana will have terms of four years, half elected each two years. The Major is elected anew every cycle. There are no term limits, although historically when changeovers occurred, some Council Members chose not to continue in the position due to other priorities or or because of the sometimes draining nature of the office. The next election is this summer. The current Council will face election in the summer of 2006. They will not have completed their term in full, but they viewed their initial election as a necessary interim measure. Current representatives: The Two of Wands, The Six of Pentacles, The Two of Cups, The Four of Swords, The Hierophant.

How do I contact my representative?

You may [[Link your Shuffle]] account to the representative of your suit. When connecting with other Arcana, you can choose to allow them to see your card, your name, or both. However, to as a privacy protection member, Shuffle search tools do not facilitate contacting Arcana whose contact information you do not already possess. Councilmembers have chosen to be an exception to this rule.

How do I vote?

[[Registration to vote is done via Shuffle]] and must be completed at least one month before the election. This approach will aid us in denying would-be Reversed infiltrators or any attempted fraud through use of their powers. Your polling place will be Tokyo Tower. We are [[conducting a public survey]] as to the best two days to hold the vote. It will be announced with notice of at least a month. The first day we have scheduled slots, for those individuals or self-selected groups that wish to minimize the risk of unplanned encounters. The second day will be unscheduled. Absentee ballots are discouraged, but if you cannot be in Tokyo during the period, then [[contact your representative]] at least two weeks before the election and we will arrange for you to receive a ballot that can be securely transferred. You will have to send your ballot back one week before the election takes place.

How do I run for office?

[[Register here]] if you wish to seek office for your suit. Each office is filled by the collective vote of all participating Arcana, although your duties focus on organizing and representing the members of your suit. We are holding registration open until more Arcana have the chance to join Shuffle. Once enough have joined, we will announce a week in advance before closing registration. After election is closed, those seeking election may make broadcast messages to the Arcana on Shuffle, but you may choose to only review these messages at your leisure or have them grouped in a digest. Candidates may choose to share their link as part of this process if they wish.

Who is up for election in 2004?

The second seats for the four suits are up for election. Because the Major representative has been in office for less than a year, the biannual elections for that office will begin in 2006. This FAQ will be updated with the list of candidate once campaign season has official begun.

How can I trust the results?

We are seeking [[volunteers]] from each suit and a Major to serve as election judges. You will have to go through official government training as an election monitor. Election judges will receive a small stipend on election days and training days, and four of the five will have to be present from setup, over the entire voting period, and through to the counting of ballots. They will stay with the ballot box overnight, sleeping in shifts. Futons, food, and caffeine will be provided. If you can devote the time and serve impartially, please [[consider volunteering]]. If multiple people volunteer, they judgeship will go to the first to apply. All subsequent volunteers are welcome to undergo the training and serve as volunteer poll watchers. Candidates are not eligible for either role. While judges and watchers do not need to be impartial outside the polling place, within the tower reversed no electioneering is allowed on election days.

Can non-voters monitor the results in any way?

Yes, any Arcana that go through poll watcher training and behave by the code of conduct that applies at official polling places are welcome.

What does this mean for people who choose not to join up?

The Council is intended to be an attempt at self-governance and isn't about trying to control everyones lives. We hope as many Arcana as possible will join and benefits will be limited to members. But, we intend that our decisions are to the benefit of humanity, let alone all Arcana, members or no. Thus, those that keep the peace have nothing to fear from us.

Version 3.3 Heisei 16-04-26