Credentials Report wrong but no one noticed?

[rthib]

(Of course bylaws interpreted by body, they will decide what they mean etc...)

 

But wondering your thoughts.

 

Convention of delegates.

Rule says you have to get 60% of registered delegates "as reported by final credential report"

 

Agenda had registration close at 10am and after that final credential report.

Final report said 98 (of 99 possible).

Move on to other agenda items

After final report and before first vote, someone left.

 

When vote taken only 98 ballots cast (so no one noticed anything wrong).

Had to recess due to lateness of evening after 12 rounds of votes.

 

During night someone realized what happened -

That we actually had 99 people registered and final credential report was not correct.

 

So when we reconvene, what to do and what is 60%?

Is it 59 based on 98 or do they use the correct number of 99 and thus 60 is needed?

 

(Vote is for endorsement, my guess is it will stay deadlocked and eventually people will give up and vote for "no endorsement" so more of a mental exercise as I doubt anyone will reach 59 or 60)

[George Mervosh]

Rule says you have to get 60% of registered delegates "as reported by final credential report"

 

Why not just follow this rule?

[Gary Novosielski]

I'm not sure what the problem is.  If you need a quorum of 60% and you're getting 99 or 100% attendance, you won't have any quorum problems unless about 40 people leave.

 

Or does this 60% pertain to a voting threshold, i.e. a 3/5 vote is required to endorse?  In that case, if enough delegates care enough, I suppose the convention could recommit the final report back to the credentials committee, with instructions to review it and supply a even-finaler report.  If not, then simply follow your rule and use the number on the final report.

 

Regarding the likely deadlock:  This is why a majority vote is such a wise invention.  It allows large groups to get things done without drama, wheel-spinning, and obstruction. 

 

In my view, there is no such thing as a "supermajority".  You can choose majority rule, or minority rule; there are no other options.

[Josh Martin]

During night someone realized what happened -

That we actually had 99 people registered and final credential report was not correct.

 

So when we reconvene, what to do and what is 60%?

Is it 59 based on 98 or do they use the correct number of 99 and thus 60 is needed?

 

(Vote is for endorsement, my guess is it will stay deadlocked and eventually people will give up and vote for "no endorsement" so more of a mental exercise as I doubt anyone will reach 59 or 60)

 

So far as RONR is concerned, the committee can simply submit a new report. The organization's bylaws might provide otherwise.

 

As you note, however, it doesn't sound like it will make a difference.

 

Regarding the likely deadlock:  This is why a majority vote is such a wise invention.  It allows large groups to get things done without drama, wheel-spinning, and obstruction. 

 

In my view, there is no such thing as a "supermajority".  You can choose majority rule, or minority rule; there are no other options.

 

Well, they've made their choice. The intent of such a rule was presumably so that no endorsement is made unless the assembly reaches 60% support for a particular candidate, and it seems it is functioning exactly as intended.

 

I'd also note that "deadlocks" are perfectly possible even with a majority vote requirement in cases like this, since there could be three or more candidates vying for an endorsement.