MARYLAND

Maryland is one state which does NOT allow amendment to the constitution by initiative. Furthermore, Maryland's constitution does NOT demand a periodic question asking if a constitutional convention should be held. This is not the end of the story. State assemblymen are still human, and they will listen to you, if there are enough of you. Contact them daily, and voice your opinion on demarchy and its importance to Maryland.

It is also plausible, at the state level, to run for a general assembly seat yourself, or encourage a friend to.

It is furthermore plausible to establish a party for this purpose, to better coordinate your vote.

Once the amendment gets on the ballot, it is still imperative that you vote. Amendments require a majority of voters to approve it in an election. Do not forget this step.

Again, the needed elements are:

FIRST: A selected legislative branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of senate and representatives - This is the important element. If nothing else is done, this must be.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison control one seat

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

SECOND: A selected executive branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of governor, lieutenant-governor, et al.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison discharge all administrative duties

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

THIRD: A selected judicial branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of judges

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that judges are not permitted to step down

The astute will note I have highlighted one item. This is because, all else failing, a general assembly so composed will reasonably be expected to institute the rest of this form of government, both at the state level and at all levels controlled by state law. If the rest of this cannot be pushed through, that item alone will salvage Maryland from depredation, and if that item is not present, the rest of this is rather pointless. This is especially relevant to Maryland, as the constitution prohibits amendments embracing more than one subject; a hostile actor in Maryland's government may attempt to interpret a complete implementation of demarchy as "embracing more than one subject".

Important highlights of the Maryland Constitution are thus:

Article II empowers the executive branch.

Sections 1 and 2 together handle the appointment of the governor and lieutenant-governor.

Article III empowers the legislative branch.

Section 2 handles membership of the general assembly.

Sections 6 and 7 handle appointment of the general assembly.

Section 19 handles expulsion.

Section 26 handles impeachment of all public officials.

Article IV empowers the judicial branch.

Section 3 handles appointment of judges other than the District Court and courts of appeal.

Section 4B handles removal of judges.

Section 5A handles the appointment of appellate judges.

Section 41D handles the appointment of District Court judges.

Section 44 handles the appointment of sheriffs.

On the county and city levels, similar changes will need to be made. These matters are handled by law or other parts of the constitution. I have faith that a citizen general assembly in Maryland will attend to this problem with due urgency and care.