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

[James Gilmour]

> PROUT - Progressive Utilisation Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 2:28 AM
> The context is simply that there are say 60 people in a room 
> - all present - and all entitled to vote. All are members of 
> an organisation or association.
> 
> 30 abstain
> 20 vote yes
> 10 vote no
> 
> I believe as they are all entitled to vote and the majority 
> do not have the yes votes, it means the motion/matter is 
> not carried.

I cannot comment on "accepted practice" in the USA, but here in the UK your conclusion would most definitely be
considered wrong where there is not a specific requirement for, say, "the support of two-thirds of those present and
entitled to vote" in the organisation's constitution for resolutions of the kind under consideration.

Those who abstain have simply said "We do not wish to express an opinion on this question.  We are content to leave the
decision on the resolution to those who do express an opinion."  If the abstainers are really opposed to the proposal in
the resolution they have a very simple remedy  -  vote "No".

This UK approach to "abstention" applies both where the voters must be present to vote and to postal ballots.

James Gilmour