Prefect

In New Maine, a prefect is the executive head of one of the sixteen districts. They are elected by instant run-off elections every four years, beginning in 1974. Prefectorial elections are held on May 20 of each election year, and are always in the same year as Presidential elections.

Qualifications

 * Must be at least 25 years old.
 * Must be a citizen of New Maine.
 * Must have lived in their respective district for at least 6 years.

Elections
The first Prefectorial elections were held on May 20, 1974, when there were only fourteen districts.

In the elections, the top fifteen candidates are put on the ballot. Using instant run-off voting, voters rank the candidates from their most preferred to least preferred. The rankings are added, and the candidate with the lowest sum is declared the Prefect of that district.

Line of succession
If a Prefect dies, resigns, or is impeached, the candidate who received the second lowest sum of rankings in the most recent Prefectorial election is sworn is as the new Prefect. After completing their predecessor's term, they are usually eligible to run for re-election. Since only fifteen candidates are put on the ballot, the District Legislature will call a special election if all fifteen candidates in the line of succession are not available or do not accepted the position.