Abstention from voting

[Guest LZ Chapman]

At a Board meeting last night, a Board member abstained from voting on a motion. I was told that members can't abstain from voting unless there is a conflict of interest. Is that true? If so, where is that referenced in Roberts Rules?

 

Thank you,

[George Mervosh]

At a Board meeting last night, a Board member abstained from voting on a motion. I was told that members can't abstain from voting unless there is a conflict of interest. Is that true? If so, where is that referenced in Roberts Rules?

 

Thank you,

 

That's not true.  The rule is this:  "Although it is the duty of every member who has an opinion on a question to express it by his vote, he can abstain, since he cannot be compelled to vote. By the same token, when an office or position is to be filled by a number of members, as in the case of a committee, or positions on a board, a member may partially abstain by voting for less than all of those for whom he is entitled to vote."  RONR (11th ed.), p. 407

[Guest Guest]

Thank you.