For those not aware in the current proceedings for Mayoral Elections:

I have submitted my candidacy because I believe that the future of Humanity lies among the stars. We see the governments of Russia, China, and now the United States taking steps to militarize the most vast of frontiers. I don't believe that's a long term viable solutions. I believe we should work to build a common respect for science with a clear focus on a peaceful goal.

Unfortunately, something has come to my attention with regard to the Mayoral Elections that has made me very disappointed. Because of this, I have sent a letter to the Elections Support team.

Context: I, like everyone else was prompted with a nice yellow button asking me to nominate myself as a Mayoral Candidate for my City. We have a rather large Asgardian community in North Carolina, but the most cohesive groups are in Raleigh and Charlotte. However, the Triad Region, which consists of Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, Asheboro, and many other smaller towns, is rather dispersed.

I opted to run for election, and encouraged the Asgardians around me to consolidate to our Anchor City, and proposed Greensboro as that anchor.

I received my confirmation of candidacy shortly after.

However, I was also prompted with the following email:

Dear candidate in Asgardia’s mayoral elections,

Thank you for submitting your candidacy!

We are very pleased to have received your submission and are delighted to inform you that your candidacy has formally been accepted.

You took the unique chance to get directly involved in the building of the first space Nation.

In order to support your electoral campaign and spread your vision of the future of Asgardia we want to offer you the outstanding opportunity to address your voters directly by uploading a video introduction of yourself and your campaign program.

Let your local community know:

• What does Asgardia mean to you?
• Why do you want to become an Asgardian mayor?
• What will your contribution to your local community be?
• Which projects do you want to run in your area?

Upload the video to your personal platform and share the link on your social media accounts to gain support of the voters in your town and attract new residents from your local area to vote for you!

Be active in the official Asgardia forums and social media channels, reach out to potential voters and support your campaign by actively taking part in enthusiastic discussions and online debates.

In order to complete your application, please remember to pay your application fee of 100 Euros before 09th September 2018 . If you have any question about your campaign, you are are welcome to contact us at elections-support@asgardia.space or read our FAQ .

Good luck in your campaign!

You can understand my surprise to see a plea for 100 Euros to be an eligible candidate.

At no point was there mention of a fee to be eligible to run for office.

Here is my response, and should I receive a reply, I will post it here as well:

To: Elections Support

I have some questions that will impact significantly my participation in things if they aren't addressed in a reasonable manner.

Nowhere in the "nominate yourself for mayor" webpages does it ever say that I will have to pay you $100 to be nominated..

What non-corrupt democracy ever required an entry fee to run for office?

You are asking us to take on significant responsibility for our district, currently for no salary. We're already offering to donate our time and effort to the cause. As a professional, my time is currently worth $250 an hour, so that contribution is already a significant offer. We are the ones most inspired by the initiative to be willing to volunteer our time, and take on the legal risks and local responsibilities. Is that not enough?

Whose bright idea was it to blind-side us with an attempt milk us for money as well?

It is a bad idea that only makes those of us in the western world skeptical of the organizations honesty and genuinity.

If such a fee is to remain, then I will be withdrawing my candidacy.

Stephan White

I firmly believe in open and free elections.

The failure to disclose such a fee makes me doubt their honesty.

Had I known of the fee, I absolutely would not nominate myself.

That is not a reasonable precedent to set.

I feel very strongly that it implies that offices can be bought, not earned through the respect of our peers.

So, if that disqualifies me, I sorrowfully accept. Not from regret, but disappointment that before we ever get off the ground, we would have failed to leave behind our worst of failures.

This is interesting. So it looks like we have a blog thing. That is cool. So lets blog it up.

I have been looking at the mayor thing. I am kinda interested in trying. My town has 28 voters, so I could win. I am unsure if I want to make a commitment like that. This time next year I may be moving to Colorado, or elsewhere. Though it may not matter, as the decree says the area needs over 100 members. So perhaps even if I try I would not be able to. Though Chicago did show up in the list, and I do go to school in the city. So I could always try that. However that is a much bigger responsibility. Looking at it, the term is a year, so at least I would not have to bow out later.

This post a a bit, all over the place. The next post ill try to be more concise. I simply wanted to make a first post, and this seemed like a good one.

Hello all, I'm Billy (Leif). I've been following Asgardia's progress since it's beginning. I was even lucky enough to be one of the first 100,000! Now, recently I've been out of touch due to my life having been a tad hectic. Everything has calmed down now so I plan to be a bit more active in the Asgardian community.

Anyways, I'd like to congratulate all those who've won their respective elections. Especially our first head of state Mr. Igor Ashurbeyli. As previously stated I was unable to really take part in the election process this time around but, congrats none the less.

So, here is some info about yours truly. I'm a norse-pagan so Asgardia holds a special place in my heart. I'm currently in the process of re-enlisting in the U.S. Army. My favorite color is black. And I'm not sure about long walks on the beach. Mostly because I've never been to one. Lol With all that being said. Skål, my brothers and sister.

For Asgardia, I want to offer my abilities to help get things going. I've been thinking, and knowing myself at this point in my life, I've got a lot to offer but little cradentials. Even still, I am a deep thinker and would be a good advisor to anyone who wants to be part of the Asgardian Government. Brain-storming and being able to bounce ideas back and fourth is the best way to turn good ideas into solid plans. I'll also offer proof reading for posts, because sometimes a good argument can be hindered by simple grammar errors or wrong punctuation. I want to help in any way I can, so please contact me if you would like my advice!

I would love to wake up in the morning to a nice cup of coffee, or tea, with views of the Earth outside my pod window. Is it impossible? No, Will I go during my lifetime? Probably Not. But it is the pioneering spirit that leads man to other unknowns. It is in our DNA to explore, create, and build upon our dreams. We just have to open our eyes to the possible, and yes, the impossible. It is how we learn and grow, and there will be mistakes along the way. The pioneers of years past understood the meaning of making a new way of life. It requires dedication through adversities, and hardships. When a new door is opened, then technology and understanding will flourish for the future.

Due to limited space on the initial Asgardia Space Station? We should have a vote to send the best Scientists, Historians, and Engineers to the first Space Nation. Asgardian Citizens who are in good physical condition should be able to visit the Space Nation via shuttles. Relatives of the residents could be given family passes. Guest sleeping pods could be constructed to house Family and visiting Citizens, much like a hotel. You would rent a pod for your stay. Research could be funded by corporations on Earth and the studies listed as non-profit.

Star Trek/ Captain Kurk Quote Credit: to Ray Bradbury, or his script writers:

I am getting close to 60, and the odds are that I will never travel into space during my lifetime. G - force on the body requires good physical health. I am so happy to see, that there are still people who want to put a new station in space. Hopefully, the UN will recognize "Asgardia" and it's citizens. This is more than just science fiction. They have sent a rocket up from Wallop Island, and put "Asgardian Data" into orbit. Hopefully, one day, a station will be built for sci...entists, historians, and all who have accepted the Asgardian Constitution. If this all sounds "Star Trek" unbelievable, then just look at the current space station, and what has been accomplished there. Over half a million people have signed up to be a part of the "Asgardia Space Nation". The goal is to have dual citizenship, Protect the Earth, Promote a Peaceful Environment in Space, Conduct Space Studies, and Provide Economic Growth. As with any Country, there will be a currency called "Solar", an Asgardian Calendar, a Flag, Anthem, and eventually a language. Everything is being voted on, as this will be a democratic society with a parliament and a "King" for a 5 year term. QUOTE: Captain Kirk from Star Trek: "To Boldly Go, Where No Man Has Gone Before" It is happening. It's not a T.V. script...it is "a Genesis for Man in Space". An Expensive venture with unbelievable possibilities. Something teachers could follow to give students hope for the future.

*Captain Kirk instead of Kurk