Robert's Rules and Your Voting Rights

As a member of an organization, you have a right to vote on motions under consideration according to Robert's Rules and basic good practice. Voting is a right that comes with some responsibilities, as well.

It's your duty to vote when you have an opinion about a matter being decided. By failing to vote, you allow others to make the decision, which is the same as having voted for the prevailing side. Whether you vote or not, you're still in some way responsible for the decision that's made.

On the other hand, you can't be forced to vote, and in fact, should not vote in certain situations. According to Robert's Rules, you should abstain from voting whenever you have an interest in the outcome that directly affects you personally (or monetarily) in a manner not shared by the other members of your group. The key here is that the other members don't share your interest. For example, it's certainly okay for you to vote in favor of, say, holding a banquet, even though you have a direct personal interest. You benefit from having the association buy your dinner. But so does everybody else. However, if the motion decides whether to give your company the catering contract, good form compels you to abstain from voting.

Just to be clear, the abstention rule is a should rule. Just as you can't be forced to vote, you can't actually be compelled not to vote. As a voting member, you can vote to swing the contract your way, but it's bad form if you do.

Of course, if you're nominated for office, you're entitled to benefit from a vote as any other member would. So go ahead and vote for yourself if you want to.

When voting by any method except by ballot, if the result of a vote has been declared, you can change your vote, but only with the unanimous consent of the assembly without debate. Otherwise, it's too late. However, you have an absolute right to change your (nonballot) vote at any time up until the result is announced.

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/roberts-rules-and-your-voting-rights.html