When is two-thirds not two-thirds?

Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: In our combine the rule for voting is written two different ways On one subject it is required to have two-thirds vote of members present. The other requires a two-thirds vote. A lot of people have taken the easy way out on the first rule and not voted making it an automatic no vote. If I understand now, an abstained vote is simply not counted. Explain if our two rules mean the same or not. - Ted White, Jan. 30, 2000

A: They do mean different things.

As you said, abstentions would have the same effect as negative votes if the requirement is for "two-thirds vote of members present." So, for example, if there were 18 present, you would need 12 affirmative votes to adopt a motion. If 3 members abstain, you would need 12 of the 15 ballots cast to be affirmative.

If the rule is for a "two-thirds vote," the implication is for that proportion of those voting. So, using the same example, if there were 18 present and 3 abstentions, you would need 10 of the 15 ballots cast to be affirmative.

See RONR pp. 397-98.

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