abstaining and quorums

[Guest John M.]

>>If a member abstains then do you subtract them from the count towards the quorum?<<

No. The quorum refers to the number of members present, not the number of members voting. So long as the members who abstain remain in the room, the"

[Guest Robert B. Fish]

The quorum is determined by the number of members PRESENT.

The outcome of a vote is determined by the number of members PRESENT AND VOTING.

If your quorum is 11 and 11 a present, a motion can be passed by a vote of 1-0.

-Bob "

[Guest Rob Elsman]

If the member who abstains is present in the one room or area where the meeting is held when the vote is taken, then he is still counted toward the quorum requirement; however, if he should walk out, then he is not present and is not counted toward the qu"

[David A Foulkes]

I'm sorry..... how did walking out of the room get into the conversation? Just curious is all.... :)"

[Guest Rob Elsman]

In practice, this practice happens when a few members leave the meeting hall before the vote begins, and another member immediately raises a Point of Order that a quorum is lacking. The poster is not clear whether those abstaining actually walked out, but"

[Guest Casey Baldwin]

No, the problem is not that people walk out or are intentionally "quorum busting". I just wanted to know how to do the math if someone abstains and if it can effect the presence of a quorum.

thanks "

[Guest Casey Baldwin]

we operate by supermajority so here is a situation where it might make a difference. Assume there are 9 members present, one person abstains, and 5 people vote yes. do I count it as 5/8=62.5% or 5/9=56% ?? thanks "

[Guest John M.]

>>do I count it as 5/8=62.5% or 5/9=56%<<

It depends on how your rule is worded. If it simply says a "60% vote" or something like that, then abstentions don't count. If it says something like "60% of the members present"

[Guest H.Wm.Mountcastle]

>>we operate by supermajority<<

There are an infinite number of "supermajorities". Let's assumes yours is a two-thirds vote. Then the simple rule of thumb is that there must be at least twice as many affirmative votes as neg"

[Guest John M.]

>>Let's assumes yours is a two-thirds vote.<<

I find that unlikely, as there would then be no difference between the two examples provided."

[Guest Lori]

It is usually best to break these questions down to the basics without adding extraneous information or suppositions unless the poster provides it. Regardless of how you operate whether by majority or 2/3 vote or whatever....I have never liked the term s"