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abstention vote


Guest Dale luther

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If one board memeber has a conflict of interest to a motion can the board pass the motion with a 2/3 vote? We have 7 members. Is it 2/3 of members persent or 2/3 members voting. Also if that member abstains isnt that a no vote or can the members make that member recuse?

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If one board member has a conflict of interest to a motion can the board pass the motion with a 2/3 vote?

There is no relationship between the two.

We have 7 members. Is it 2/3 of members present or 2/3 members voting?

When Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR 10th ed. 2000) demands a two-thirds vote, RONR always refers to the vote of members present and voting.

• Not merely present.

• Not merely voting.

Also if that member abstains isn't that a no vote ...

It is a non-vote.

An abstention is neither affirmative nor negative.

RONR says to treat abstentions like "so much scrap paper."

... or can the members make that member recuse?

No.

The assembly cannot take away the right to vote by a mere motion (e.g., "Resolved, That we recognize that Mrs. Peacock has a conflict of interest in [matter X] and therefore cannot vote").

RONR says that conflicted members do not lose their right to vote, despite the conflict(s).

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