How To Count The Vote

Or……….

How to Vote for The Count!

Eight Forms of Voting

Unanimous Consent

Voice Vote Rising Vote Show of Hands

Ballot Roll Call By Mail By Proxy

In smaller groups or assemblies, the chair may

perform counts of votes For larger groups/assemblies, the chair should

appoint Tellers to perform the count (recommended)

If a voice vote is inconclusive, the chair should ask for a rising vote.

Counting the Vote

Any number of voting methods by which, on a

single ballot when there are more than two possible choices, the second or less-preferred choices of voters can be taken into account if no candidate or proposition attains a majority.

RONR §45, pp 425-426, ll 33-2

Preferential Voting

Each ballot contains all candidate names for a

particular office, or all choices being considered for a question.

Voter then selects their choices in ranking order from highest to lowest; 1-first choice, 2-second…..etc.

Ballots are collected and then placed in groups based on first preference for each candidate or choice.

The number of ballots in each group is counted. If mort than ½ of the ballots show one candidate or choice as first choice, then majority is obtained.

How It’s Done

If no majority reached, a “process of

elimination” takes place: Beginning with the least popular (candidate

receiving the least # of ‘1’-first choice ballots), those ballots are redistributed into the remaining groups based on their 2nd choice. A new count is made and if a majority is still not reached, then the process (above) is repeated until a majority for any (or the one) remaining candidate is established.

How It’s Done – cont’

If a ballot having one or more names not marked

with a number comes up for placement at any stage of the counting and all of its marked names have been eliminated, it should be set aside.

If at any point any candidates or propositions are tied for the least popular position, all ties are eliminated and not counted further.

In the event of a tie in the winning position – the election should be resolved in favor of the candidate or choice that was strongest in terms of first choices – by referring to the record of the first distribution.

How It’s Done – cont’

In cases where multiple positions are to be filled

(e.g. 3 members on a board) the process of deciding is similar except that instead of deciding a single winner, the counting continues until the “top 3” candidates are determined.

Voters should be given thorough instructions on how to mark their ballots, and made sure they understand how the ballots will be counted.

Voters declining to mark a second or other choice are wrong to think this will give their choice an ‘advantage’.

Other Considerations

Make sure to count member votes only! When in doubt, do it again! Written ballots (paper, mail, proxies, emails,

etc.) should be counted at least twice, by more than one person, to ensure an accurate vote.

Some Important Safeguards to Remember

How is preferential voting different than voting

to Fill In a Blank?

When more than one candidate or choice is offered, which way of deciding what option is chosen or which candidate gets elected is better?

If Time Allows: Open Discussion

Joseph Stalin once said “It does not matter who votes; it

matters who counts the votes.”

But remember……….

Consider this:

Your Count is Voting on You!

DON’T INCLUDE THIS SLIDE! Read the information to

the class! MAKE THEM ACTIVELY LISTEN BECAUSE YOU ARE

GOING TO QUIZ THEM ON THIS LATER!!

More complicated than other methods Unless provided for in the bylaws, Preferential voting

can NOT be used to elect officers. 426,ll9-11 Preferential voting should not be used in cases where it

is possible to follow the normal procedure of repeated balloting until one candidate or proposition attains a majority. P 428, ll17-20.

Uses and Notes