Do abstentions count? If on a Board of 13 members, 3 vote in favour, 2 vote against and 8 abstain, is the motion carried?
The by-laws of our Association state that "in all matters not governed by this By-Law or other rules or regulations of the Association, Robert's Rules of Order, current edition, shall govern".
If abstentions don't count, are we allowed to change our by-laws so that they do (i.e. so that we would not need a majority of 7 to approve motions)? Or is this a fundamental democratic convention that we should respect?
Our Association has a policy that allows for e-mail votes. The policy requires a majority of 7 to approve e-mail motions. Abstentions count -- so that 5 votes in favour and 8 abstentions would be a positive vote and carried.