recording votes

[Guest Maggie]

Sorry to bring up such an easy topic; but, how should the votes be noted in the minutes.

If 4 affirmative, 2 negative-- 4-2

If 4 affirmative, 2 abstain--4-2, or 4 affirmative with 2 abstaining

If 4 affirmative, 1 negative, and 1 abstain--4-2 or what?

[Rob Elsman]

What is entered on the minutes should be what the chairman announces. The proper forms for announcing the result of a vote are given in RONR (10th ed.), pp. 46-48.

[Kim Goldsworthy]

How should the votes be noted in the minutes.

If 4 affirmative, 2 negative-- 4-2

If 4 affirmative, 2 abstain--4-2, or 4 affirmative with 2 abstaining

If 4 affirmative, 1 negative, and 1 abstain--4-2 or what?

"If 4 affirmative, 2 negative" = 4-2

"If 4 affirmative, 2 abstain" = 4-0

"If 4 affirmative, 1 negative, and 1 abstain" = 4-1

• You never include abstentions.

• To abstain is to "not cast a ballot" or "not vote".

• An abstention is not a vote.

• RONR says blank ballots are to be treated as "so much scrap paper."

[Trina]

Sorry to bring up such an easy topic; but, how should the votes be noted in the minutes.

If 4 affirmative, 2 negative-- 4-2

If 4 affirmative, 2 abstain--4-2, or 4 affirmative with 2 abstaining

If 4 affirmative, 1 negative, and 1 abstain--4-2 or what?

Unless there is a specific reason for including vote counts in the minutes, the minutes should simply note that the motion passed.

[hmtcastle]

Sorry to bring up such an easy topic; but, how should the votes be noted in the minutes.

If 4 affirmative, 2 negative-- 4-2

If 4 affirmative, 2 abstain--4-2, or 4 affirmative with 2 abstaining

If 4 affirmative, 1 negative, and 1 abstain--4-2 or what?

See FAQ #6.

[Guest Jo]

Typically you simply record if the motion passed or failed. The exceptions are if a count was ordered or if the vote was done by ballot, and if by ballot, the tellers' report should be entered in its entirety.