Guest Elaine Posted October 27, 2014 at 09:34 PM Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 at 09:34 PM How does one abstain from voting on oral votes? Must he or she verbally say they are abstaining? If it is not done orally, how do the others present know one has abstained from voting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Guest Posted October 27, 2014 at 09:41 PM Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 at 09:41 PM How does one abstain from voting on oral votes? One keeps one's mouth shut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted October 27, 2014 at 09:41 PM Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 at 09:41 PM If the vote is viva voce (by the yeas and nays), you just sit there and don't respond either way. If it is a roll call vote, say "Abstain" or "I abstain". If it's by ballot, either don't return one, or return a blank one (at least for that particular race/issue). If it's by raising hands, don't raise your hand either way. If it's a standing vote, don't stand up. Edited to add: It is not necessary that anybody know you abstained. You may have a personal reason for wanting people to know you abstained, but nothing in RONR requires it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted October 27, 2014 at 10:01 PM Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 at 10:01 PM And if you're using an electronic voting device, don't push a button... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstackpo Posted October 27, 2014 at 10:06 PM Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 at 10:06 PM Or the ultimate "abstention": walk out or don't go to the meeting in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted October 27, 2014 at 10:12 PM Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 at 10:12 PM Or the ultimate "abstention": walk out or don't go to the meeting in the first place.Yes, I'm often amazed...and amused... at how many members of my legislature suddenly have to go to the bathroom at the same time when a controversial bill is about to be voted on. It happens at my city council meetings, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted October 27, 2014 at 10:14 PM Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 at 10:14 PM ... walk out ... But not during a rising vote, or else you may be counted... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Guest Posted October 27, 2014 at 10:21 PM Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 at 10:21 PM Yes, I'm often amazed...and amused... at how many members of my legislature suddenly have to go to the bathroom at the same time when a controversial bill is about to be voted on. It happens at my city council meetings, too. Laissez les bon temps rouler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev Ed Posted October 28, 2014 at 02:34 AM Report Share Posted October 28, 2014 at 02:34 AM I can understand why people sometimes want to know why a person abstained - especially if it is in a Board setting (some argue that you are on the Board to have an opinion), but abstaining is an opinion - you believe that neither said is right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstackpo Posted October 28, 2014 at 09:02 AM Report Share Posted October 28, 2014 at 09:02 AM But not during a rising vote, or else you may be counted... Ha! Good point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted October 28, 2014 at 11:00 PM Report Share Posted October 28, 2014 at 11:00 PM I can understand why people sometimes want to know why a person abstained - especially if it is in a Board setting (some argue that you are on the Board to have an opinion), but abstaining is an opinion - you believe that neither said is right.It is not necessarily correct that an abstention indicates that the member believes that neither side is right, although that is certainly one possible reason to abstain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted October 29, 2014 at 03:20 PM Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 at 03:20 PM And no member is required to give a reason for not voting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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