Guest Jessica Posted March 21, 2012 at 07:24 PM Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 at 07:24 PM A vote was taken to accept a new organization into the League. The vote was 6-for; 4-against and 2 abstains. The President indicated that abstains go to the victor. Is this true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Foulkes Posted March 21, 2012 at 07:33 PM Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 at 07:33 PM A vote was taken to accept a new organization into the League. The vote was 6-for; 4-against and 2 abstains. The President indicated that abstains go to the victor. Is this true?Abstentions are not votes, and as such generally do not count. There are a few exceptions where an abstention has the same effect as a "no" vote, but that doesn't seem to apply here from what you've offered so far.The vote was 6 to 4, and the motion to accept the new organization passed, assuming only a majority vote was required. The 2 abstentions should be ignored. They do not now make the vote 8 to 4. What the President said has no basis in Robert's Rules or common parliamentary law.See also FAQ #6 on this site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev Ed Posted March 21, 2012 at 08:49 PM Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 at 08:49 PM The only time an abstention has the same effect as a vote is when the vote is of "those present" or the entire membership. And then the abstention has the same effect as a 'no' vote even though it still by definition is not a vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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