Voting by the Chair

[Guest Pat D]

As chair of a six member council, I would prefer to only vote when my vote would make a difference. However, given that it is an even numbered council my vote can only be used to effect a tie.  When I don't vote the clerks records it as "abstained". I would prefer that I not be mentioned in the vote tally at all unless I vote.  Is it within the rules of Roberts Rules of Order to not include me in the vote tally unless I choose to vote.

thanks, Pat

[Chris Harrison]

How is the vote taken?  Voice vote?  Show of hands?  Roll Call?  Generally speaking though, with one exception, the minutes should not be reflecting who abstained in the first place.

Edited July 16, 2018 at 03:57 PM by Chris Harrison
Added extra thought

[Guest Pat D]

voice vote

[Joshua Katz]

12 minutes ago, Guest Pat D said:

However, given that it is an even numbered council my vote can only be used to effect a tie.

This is not true, unless everyone comes to every meeting, and no one but you ever abstains.

 

12 minutes ago, Guest Pat D said:

I would prefer that I not be mentioned in the vote tally at all unless I vote.  Is it within the rules of Roberts Rules of Order to not include me in the vote tally unless I choose to vote.

 

1 minute ago, Guest Pat D said:

voice vote

On a voice vote, the minutes should simply reflect if the motion was adopted or not. No tally should be included. Even if rising, how an individual voted should not be included; that's only included when voting by roll call.

[Richard Brown]

11 minutes ago, Chris Harrison said:

How is the vote taken?  Voice vote?  Show of hands?  Roll Call?  Generally speaking though, with one exception, the minutes should not be reflecting who abstained in the first place.

 

3 minutes ago, Guest Pat D said:

voice vote

Guest Pat D, is this a public body of some sort?  If so, do your rules or state open meetings laws (sunshine laws) require that all  votes on substantive motions be record votes?

 

[Guest Pat D]

It is a town council.  Our minutes always list how each member voted. Given the following excerpt from our state law, is this really necessary?

Minutes shall be in writing and shall include (a) the date, time, and location of the meeting; (b) the members of the public body recorded as present and absent; and (c) a summary of the discussion on matters proposed, deliberated or decided, and a record of any votes taken.

 

[Guest Pat D]

It is a town council.  Our minutes always list the votes by name and they put "abstain' next to mine even though I don't abstain, I just choose not to vote.  Our state code on minutes is:

Minutes shall be in writing and shall include (a) the date, time, and location of the meeting; (b) the members of the public body recorded as present and absent; and (c) a summary of the discussion on matters proposed, deliberated or decided, and a record of any votes taken.

 

It doesn't say that the record of votes taken must list each person and how they voted. 

[Josh Martin]

14 minutes ago, Guest Pat D said:

It is a town council.  Our minutes always list how each member voted. Given the following excerpt from our state law, is this really necessary?

Minutes shall be in writing and shall include (a) the date, time, and location of the meeting; (b) the members of the public body recorded as present and absent; and (c) a summary of the discussion on matters proposed, deliberated or decided, and a record of any votes taken.

 

Questions regarding the interpretation of applicable law are beyond the scope of this forum.

[Pat D]

Thanks

[Weldon Merritt]

21 minutes ago, Guest Pat D said:

Our minutes always list the votes by name and they put "abstain' next to mine even though I don't abstain, I just choose not to vote. 

Concurring with Mr. Martin about interpretation of state law, I will just add that, so far as RONR is concenreed, choosing not to vote is abstaining, whether or not you say, "I abstain."