The Law of the Florentine Catasto of 1427

And if it should happen that in the election several candidates receive an equal number of black beans original: "fave nere". These were the beans used for "yes" votes., only those who are tied shall be put to a new vote. And the one, or those, who exceed the number of black beans in such a new vote must be taken and understood to be, and are, elected.

7. — Elected officials may not refuse the office.

Furthermore, none of the said ten who are so elected may renounce the election or the office, nor may they allege any excuse or defense against the said election, even by citing any privilege belonging to the Priorate of the Guilds The Priori delle Arti were the leading magistrates of the Florentine government., or of the Gonfalonier of Justice The highest-ranking official in the Florentine Republic., or any other whatsoever; nor may they defend, excuse, or protect themselves from it in any way. Rather, each of them shall be bound and must, within the first ten days after the election is announced to him, appear before the Notary of the Extractions The Notaio delle Tratte was responsible for overseeing the drawing of names from the bags for government offices. of the said commune, and in his hands express[page 3]ly accept the office and swear to exercise it well and loyally, under penalty of one thousand gold florins. This penalty must be paid to the Commune of Florence by anyone who does not observe these rules. Once the said ten days have passed, the aforementioned Notary of the Extractions is bound to immediately report whoever has not appeared to accept and swear the oath, as stated above, to the Notary of the Mirror The Notaio dello Specchio managed the "Mirror," a registry of citizens who were in debt to the state or had failed in their civic duties. of the said commune.

And the said notary is bound and must record the person so reported in one of the books of the Mirror of the said commune. And once he has been reported, the notary must ensure that his name is cancelled original: "stracciato," literally "torn up." This meant the candidate's name-slip was removed from the eligibility bags for all offices. from any office to which he might be elected or drawn, until the said penalty is paid in full to the said commune. Furthermore, he must ensure that the ordinances of the Mirror of the said commune are enforced against him, just as they would be against anyone listed there for unpaid forced loans original: "prestanze." These were compulsory loans citizens were required to give the state, often functioning as a tax.. In addition to this, the individual shall be removed and dismissed from the said office by that very fact; once the ten days have passed, the commune must proceed to the election of another in his place.

8. — Prohibitions regarding the officials.

Furthermore, each of the said ten shall be understood to have a prohibition original: "divieto." A legal period during which an official was barred from holding other offices to prevent the consolidation of power. during the term of the aforementioned year from each and every office of the said commune, whether located outside...