My suggestions for improving the Holy Roman Empire

[Gosling 12]

I recently formed the HRE as Austria. Though the experience was fun, I do have a couple of suggestions for how the HRE mechanics can be improved.

Have electors actually cast votes like in AOH II:
In AOH III, the nation that has the most prestige is automatically elected as emperor once the current emperor dies. This is an unfortunate downgrade compared to AOH II in my opinion. If the electors can actually cast votes this would not only make becoming emperor far more interesting since you could win the favor of the electors instead of just being the most powerful nation, it would also make it harder to remain emperor. If you anger all of the electors, they could decide to vote you out.

Make the reforms more similar to the law system:
Right now the reforms are just a straight line that you have to complete in order to get a few buffs and become emperor. Once you've passed a reform it's impossible for it to be reversed. I think it would be a good idea to add a number of imperial laws that change the level of centralization of the HRE. HIgh centralization would be needed in order to pass the reforms that will eventually unite the Empire. (Very) low centralization would make it easier for a nation that declares war on the emperor to dismantle the HRE.
Here are some examples of possible laws from high to low centralization:

Religion:
All princes must convert to the Emperor's religion
Cuius regio, eius religio
The electors decide the religion of the HRE

Elections:
The Emperor appoints the electors
The Emperor's candidate is given more weight.
The electors are fixed
The most powerful nations in the HRE become electors.

War within the HRE:
Princes cannot declare war against other princes
The Emperor can force princes to sign a white peace or negotiate.
Princes can declare war against other princes.

Passing certain laws and reforms should anger the princes and/or electors. If too many laws or reforms are passed to quickly it could cause them to declare a war with the purpose of turning back the reforms.