A B S T A I N F R O M A B S T A I N I N G By Lorenzo R. Cuesta, PRP
One of the most misapplied parliamentary concepts is the right to abstain. In accordance with Robert’s Rules, the proper voting procedure is to ask, “Those in favor of the motion, say aye. Those opposed [to the motion], say no.” RONR (12th ed.) 4:37. The common practice in most clients’ meetings is, “Those in favor, say aye. Those opposed, say, no. Anyone abstain?” Habitually asking for abstentions as part of every voting procedure conflicts with Robert’s Rules. The chair should not call for abstentions in taking a vote. The logic here is that to abstain means not to vote at all. The question is meaningless because not voting, or answering that one abstains, or not answering at all, results in the same non-vote. RONR (12th ed.) 4:35. When one may abstain 1. Robert’s Rules does state that a member “can abstain, since he cannot be compelled to vote.” RONR (12th ed.) 45:3. The right to abstain is proper as long as it does not conflict with an authority that is ranked higher than Robert’s Rules, e.g., the society’s constitution or bylaws. This right to abstain is common in societies where each member has the power to vote entirely upon his own interests and wishes, such as a club or a society with a general assembly where each member has the sole power over his own vote and no one else’s. 2. A member has the right to express his opinion on a question. The parliamentary means of communicating his opinion is “to express it by his vote.” RONR (12th ed.) 45:3. If a member cannot be compelled to vote, RONR (12th ed.) 45:3, and he chooses to abstain, that member chooses to remain neutral and silence his opinion on the matter. In order to remain neutral and silence his opinion, that member should not participate or have any impact on the final disposition of the motion. This includes not making the motion, or seconding it, or amending it. Additionally, the member who chooses to abstain should not participate in debate or by influencing the other voters through actions or body language. He might as well momentarily leave the assembly.
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National Parliamentarian • Summer 2021
