adstentions

[Guest Brenda L.]

How should abstention votes be 'counted.' Do they go to the yeas or nays, or neither? If the casting of an abstention vote leaves the remaining voters tied, does the Chairman/President break it, or does the abstention weigh to one of the sides of the vote?

[hmtcastle]

How should abstention votes be 'counted.' Do they go to the yeas or nays, or neither? If the casting of an abstention vote leaves the remaining voters tied, does the Chairman/President break it, or does the abstention weigh to one of the sides of the vote?

See FAQ #6.

[Tim Wynn]

How should abstention votes be 'counted.' Do they go to the yeas or nays, or neither? If the casting of an abstention vote leaves the remaining voters tied, does the Chairman/President break it, or does the abstention weigh to one of the sides of the vote?

In the ordinary case, an abstention does not count at all. It's equal to not voting. It's not a yes, nor a no.

For whether or not the chair votes, see FAQ #1. Abstentions do not have an effect in the case of a tie.

[David A Foulkes]

How should abstention votes be 'counted.' Do they go to the yeas or nays, or neither? If the casting of an abstention vote leaves the remaining voters tied, does the Chairman/President break it, or does the abstention weigh to one of the sides of the vote?

In small Board meetings (about a dozen members or less attending), the chair may vote right along with everyone else. Doesn't have to, but can. In all other cases, the Chair only votes if by ballot or if his vote will affect the result. If a vote is tied, and the chair has not voted yet before announcing the result, he may vote in the affirmative to break the tie. The abstentions are not counted, or weighed. They are ignored.