2238 Eestimadnait referendum

The Ēśïmądnąïtýšk nýtnāfüńsfėrŝąñźėrlāřïńgslåsýšk qątråtśėpnïńgsrøfnůrs (also known as Eestimadnaitiskaja qatrotögilegöreferendümi zja shjanzjersam ot nimmotr ot Eestimadnaitotr) was an Eastlandic set of referendums held in 2021 in which it was decided to change the name of the principality from Eestimadnait to Westersund. For the purposes of this referendum, the votes of all three Eestimadnait duchies were counted as one.

Background
Eastland got its name during the expansion of Griffin Country to the west in 259 CE. In an unfortunate set of circumstances, thinking that she is in the east Queen Mąārà (according to legend) named the country "Eastern Land" (Eestimadnait). The exact reason for this name is not known, although historians generally agree that the legend is at least partially true since it is known that this queen remained known as a cruel and vindictive ruler, which is probably why no one decided to inform her of the wrong direction. Throughout history, the attempt to change the name of this principality has failed several times, mainly due to various ideas about what the new name should be, but the very desire to change the name has remained a topic of debate. In 2020, at a session of the Principal Parliament of the Principality of Eestimadnait, Duke of Saudi Eestimadnait - Ërik Vilabradishk proposed a solution to this issue through a “four-stage referendum” process in Griffin Law known as qątråtśėpnïńgsrøfnůrs /ku:atrɒtstepningsrøfny:rs/. His proposal was adopted and the first referendum took place in January next year. Given the positive outcome of the first referendum, the remaining three referendums were all conducted in 2021.

First question
The first step of the process is called „Ůxśåpẗsqāś“ in Griffin law. During the special session of the princely parliament, the exact wording of the question was decided, which would determine whether the general public was interested in this change at all. According to Griffin law, the question was written in the Old Griffin language and read "Skąld Grýffýnýšk Prïńcïpąlïtët Ēśïmądnąït òt ątt går ąftůr nāfüńsåŝæñź?" or "should the Principality of Eestimadnait change its name?“.

The outcome was as follows: out of 6,830,780 registred voters 83.3% decided to vote. Yes won by a large margin which meant that the principality would get a new name.

Second question
The second step of the process is called „Dóšåpẗsqāś“ in Griffin law. After the successful first referendum, it was necessary to establish which names came into consideration, which is why the princely parliament announced a competition. Out of 140 received proposals, 10 names were shortlisted and explanations were added. The second question was "Ŝwėm nýtnāfüńsïńg ėlskėrėt ðū ątt ŝūzs?" and was followed by the instructions "Ŝūzs ąlöńmąnhėtýšk ët åptïōn", ie "which of the offered names do you want to be the new name for our principality" and "choose only one option".

Out of 6,830,780 registred voters 78.7% decided to vote. Five names recieved more than 11% of votes and were shortlisted for the third round.

Third question
The third step of the process is called „Trëtåpẗsqāś“ in Griffin law. From the five shortlisted names, it was necessary to choose the final name that would go to the final vote.

Out of 6,830,780 registred voters 74.8% decided to vote. The winning name was ’’’Westersund’’’.

Fourth question
The fourth and final step of the process is called "Qątråtåpẗsqāś" in Griffin law. Following the victory of the "Westersund option" at the third referendum it was decided to go through with the final step and ask the citizens if they support the name change. Once again, the question was written in the Old Griffin language and read "Skąld Grýffýnýšk Prïńcïpąlïtët Ēśïmądnąït òt ątt går ąftůr nāfüńsåŝæñź frą Ēśïmądnąït týll Wėśėrsüńd (Westersund)?" or "should the Principality of Eestimadnait change its name from Eestimadnait to Westersund?“.

The outcome was as follows: out of 6,830,780 registred voters 75.3% decided to vote. Yes won by a large margin which meant that the principality would change its name to Westersund.

The final confirmation and ratification
As the princely parliament cannot pass laws on its own, the results of the referendum and the proposal to change the name were forwarded to Rykstadtk for consideration under the „law on princely symbols and their change“. Both the Senaat and Gövnarmendt supported this change. At the end of the year, on March 2, 2022, the Emperor of Griffin Empire, Gustav XIX personally ratified ’’Nýtnāfüńsfėrŝąñźėrlāřïńgslå’’. This meant that the name of three Eastlandic duchies would change their names as well to North, Central and South Westersund respectfully.