[EM] election-methods Digest, Vol 19, Issue 4

[Dharmadeva]

 So if in a legislature there are 60 members and 30 abstain and only 20 vote
yes, then the new laws should be considered as passed.  Sounds dangerous to
me.

:-----Original Message-----
:From: Scott Ritchie [mailto:scott at open-vote.org] 
:Sent: Sunday, 15 January 2006 8:24 PM
:To: davek at clarityconnect.com
:Cc: election-methods at electorama.com; dharmadeva at gmail.com
:Subject: Re: [EM] election-methods Digest, Vol 19, Issue 4
:
:On Sat, 2006-01-14 at 23:00 -0800, Dave Ketchum wrote:
:> Robert's Rules is worth a review, for it discusses various 
:choices and 
:> explains why some are smarter than others.
:> 
:> Here, with the problem as presented, Robert's recommends 
:ignoring the 
:> abstentions and declaring a win by the ayes.  As noted 
:below, counting 
:> abstentions as nos prevents members indicating the 
:neutrality they may 
:> feel.
:> 
:> DWK
:
:It should be noted that Robert's Rules DO prevent abstentions 
:on procedural motions, and on substantive motions (such as passing a
:resolution) they are counted the same as not being present.  
:This makes sense, as anyone can "abstain" anyway by simply 
:refusing roll call.
:
:-Scott Ritchie
: