How to count votes

[Guest Alexia]

When voting on motion can you take nay votes, abstention votes, and then count those that haven't yet voted as yes votes?

[Josh Martin]

On 8/28/2023 at 3:26 PM, Guest Alexia said:

When voting on motion can you take nay votes, abstention votes, and then count those that haven't yet voted as yes votes?

No. The correct order is yes votes first, then no votes. And that's the end. There is no need to ask for abstentions.

Further, the phrase "abstention votes" is an oxymoron. To abstain, by definition, means to not vote.

"The vote on a motion is normally taken by voice (or viva voce), unless, under certain conditions, it is taken by rising or—sometimes in committees, or in small boards, or other very small assemblies—by a show of hands. In putting the question by any of these methods, the chair calls first for the affirmative vote, and all who wish to vote in favor of the motion so indicate in the manner specified; then he calls for the negative vote. The chair must always call for the negative vote, no matter how nearly unanimous the affirmative vote may appear, except that this rule is commonly relaxed in the case of noncontroversial motions of a complimentary or courtesy nature; but even in such a case, if any member objects, the chair must call for the negative vote. A further exception arises when the negative vote is intrinsically irrelevant, as, for example, when “a vote of one fifth of the members present” is required (see 44:9(a)). The chair does not call for abstentions in taking a vote, since the number of members who respond to such a call is meaningless. To “abstain” means not to vote at all, and a member who makes no response if “abstentions” are called for abstains just as much as one who responds to that effect (see also 45:3)." RONR (12th ed.) 4:35

Edited August 28, 2023 at 08:33 PM by Josh Martin

[Gary Novosielski]

On 8/28/2023 at 4:26 PM, Guest Alexia said:

When voting on motion can you take nay votes, abstention votes, and then count those that haven't yet voted as yes votes?

No. There is no such thing as an "abstention vote".   When you abstain, voting is what you are abstaining from doing.  Abstentions should be neither called for, nor counted.  

And anyone who remains silent has abstained, just as surely as if they had stated "I abstain".

[Guest Clare]

In the meeting minutes, does the secretary have to record the number of yes and/or no votes, or simply that a motion passes or does not?

If recording is required, does the secretary also need to record the names of who voted yes and/ or no? Thanks.

[Weldon Merritt]

On 9/27/2023 at 4:14 PM, Guest Clare said:

In the meeting minutes, does the secretary have to record the number of yes and/or no votes, or simply that a motion passes or does not?

Id If it's a voice vote or an uncounted rising vote, the secretary simply records whether the motion was adopted or defeated. If it's a counted vote or a ballot vote, the secretary records the number of votes on each side.

On 9/27/2023 at 4:14 PM, Guest Clare said:

If recording is required, does the secretary also need to record the names of who voted yes and/ or no?

Only of the vote is by roll call, which would be rare for most ordinary societies.

Edited September 28, 2023 at 01:52 AM by Weldon Merritt
Corrected a typo.

[Rob Elsman]

What if id not? 😁

[Gary Novosielski]

On 9/27/2023 at 8:53 PM, Rob Elsman said:

What if id not? 😁

Then it wooden bee.

[Weldon Merritt]

On 9/27/2023 at 6:53 PM, Rob Elsman said:

What if id not? 😁

The typo demon strikes again! 

On 9/27/2023 at 7:00 PM, Gary Novosielski said:

Then it wooden bee.

😀