Voting Method Question

[Frank Mals]

In ammendment 35L the following language addresses a scenario that might occur if one of the four categories of board members is not met: 

"If the winning slate does not include at least one member from each of the four categories listed under 4.1 Board Composition, the highest vote-getter from an unrepresented category shall replace the lowest vote-getter from a category represented by two or more members."

How does the other voting method (Ammendment 23) handle this?

Regards, Frank

[Christopher Beland]

Amendment 23 leaves in place the existing language of Section 4.6:

If the winning set doesn't include members from the categories listed under §4.1 Board Composition, determine whether rerunning the procedure without the least preferred candidate would yield a winning set with the required representation, and continue until a new winning set is found with the required representation or the candidate list is exhausted. If at least 1 category has no candidate from it, 1 Board seat will remain vacant until the next election.

-B.

[Frank Mals]

Thanks Chris.  How will the voting on these two ammendments be held tonight?  Will they be voted on at the same time as in "those in favor of 35L say aye, those in favor of 23 say aye"?  

[Christopher Beland]

On Mon, 2026-03-30 at 11:51 -0700, Frank Mals wrote:

Thanks Chris.  How will the voting on these two ammendments be held tonight?  Will they be voted on at the same time as in "those in favor of 35L say aye, those in favor of 23 say aye"?  

That's up to the chair and the motions that members make.

Personally, I think it would be logical to just vote on them sequentially as they are in the document. 23 only changes the text of Appendix B, and 35L deletes Appendix B completely, so if we do things in that order there is no textual conflict.

The outcome for Amendment 23 would determine which version of single transferable vote we use, if we decide to keep it. Then the outcome of the later vote on 35L would determine whether to keep single transferable vote or change to the Vote for 8 system.

Chris

[Elaine Almquist]

We use Roberts Rules of Order for anything that is not explicitly spelled out in our bylaws. So a motion is made, someone will need to second it, and we will open the floor to debate. The proposer gets to speak in support first, then I will call on people to alternate between opposition and support until we hear all of the arguments, or until a reasonable amount of time has passed (we do need to get through the whole agenda) and then we will move the question, which means we will put it to a vote.

Or, during the debate, anyone can make a motion to "call the question", which means I would take a vote to end debate and immediately vote on the motion. That would need a 2/3rds majority to pass.

Best,

Elaine

Elaine F. Almquist

(she/her/hers)

BlueSky @EAlmquist  Instagram: @EFAlmquist
Phone: 978.375.2448

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[Frank Mals]

Ok got it thanks. 

In Ammendment 23 part B2 states "If electronic tabulation is deemed not feasible, the paper ballot method with random transfer described in Appendix B, Section 3, shall be used." My understanding is that the advantage of electronic tabulation is that votes get transferred fractionally instead of randomly, and therefore the count remains the same no matter how many times the votes are tabulated.

What are the scenarios in which "electronic tablulation is deemed not feasible"? Can candidates requests a hand-recount in the event of a close vote? If so that would mean the paper ballot method is used, which is described as using "random transfer". If the transfers are "random" is it possible that the results change with each count? Or will hand-recounts be disallowed because software makes them uneccesary?

Regards,

Frank

[Edward Woll]

I think the core of the question is that do we give an-overview that Amendments 23, 24 and 35L deal with the same issue, what the voting and vote counting system will be. I think that overview is essential to present and the debate or discussion needs to address both at the same time.

Ed  

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