[cabfpub] Voting process clarification

[Peter Bowen]

Based on this, it would appear that “abstain” (or “present”) is really a weak yes, correct?

I got to this conclusion because there are three results possible for a ballot:
1) Pass with the majority/super-majority required by the bylaws
2) Fail due to lack of majority/super-majority
3) Fail due to lack of quorum

Voting “abstain” will never change the results of 1 or 2, but could cause 3 to move into 1.  Conversely there is no case where an abstain vote will cause a ballot that would otherwise pass to fail.

Does this sound right?

Thanks,
Peter

> On Jun 16, 2016, at 7:02 AM, Ben Wilson <ben.wilson at digicert.com> wrote:
> 
> You’re right.  Sorry.
>  
> From: public-bounces at cabforum.org [mailto:public-bounces at cabforum.org] On Behalf Of Rich Smith
> Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2016 7:58 AM
> To: public at cabforum.org
> Subject: Re: [cabfpub] Voting process clarification
>  
> Ben, I disagree.  If abstentions don't count except toward quorum, 1 yes vote and 2 abstentions gets counted as 100% yes votes by browsers, meeting the 50%+1 requirement.
> 
> On 6/16/2016 8:52 AM, Ben Wilson wrote:
> No.  That would not meet the  threshold.
> Abstention is  for purposes of  calculating quorum only.
>  
>  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: public-bounces at cabforum.org [mailto:public-bounces at cabforum.org] On Behalf Of Peter Bowen
> Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2016 7:51 AM
> To: CABFPub <public at cabforum.org>
> Subject: [cabfpub] Voting process clarification
>  
> I’m trying to sort out how abstain “votes” relate to ballot outcomes as per our bylaws.  2.2(e) says "Only votes that indicate a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response to the ballot question shall be considered (i.e. votes to abstain and votes that do not indicate a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response will not figure in the calculation of item 6, below).”  
>  
> The “item 6, below” appears to mean (f) which says "at least 50% plus one of the votes cast by the members in the browser category must be in favor of the motion”.
>  
> Am I correct that this means a ballot with 2 abstain “votes” from browsers, one “yes” vote from a browser, and no other browser response would meet the “50% +1” threshold for browsers?
>  
> Thanks,
> Peter
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