On Thu, 27 Feb 2020 at 08:34, Martin Koppenhoefer <dieterdre...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I see, so now the abstentions will not count for the voting result in any > way, not even for the quorum. > That is the technical meaning of "abstention." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstention An abstention is when no vote is cast even though one has the opportunity to do so. Many readers of this list abstain from one vote or another. An abstention, in the technical meaning, cannot contribute to the quorum (except in a voting system where physical attendance is required, such as parliamentary votes). However, despite the option being labelled an abstention, it is NOT an abstention. Technically, it is a "spoiled ballot." Spoiled ballots DO contribute to a quorum in most voting systems. If we treat it as a spoiled ballot, we get a different result if we set the approval bar as the ratio of yes to no votes or as the ratio of yes votes to the quorum. As I see it, we have three options: 1. Treat it as an abstention, and continue to call it an abstention. It does not count towards the quorum. In which case it should appear separately from the yes/no votes (or at least placed before yes/no votes) to avoid confusion. The talk page would theoretically be the best place for abstentions, but practically would mean that any points raised would be less likely to be seen by other voters. Approval would be based on total yes/no votes and ratio of yes to no votes. 2. Treat it as a spoiled ballot, and give it a name other than "abstention" (maybe "comment"). It DOES contribute to the quorum. Approval would be based on total number of votes (yes/no/spoiled) and ratio of yes to no + spoiled votes. 3. Continue with the current confusion (or invent new confusion) where "abstain" is neither fish nor fowl. Those assuming "abstain" has its technical interpretation will sometimes be surprised by the outcome of a vote. There are probably other options, too. -- Paul
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