MA: Abstain votes aren't Nay votes (Ratified)

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

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Sponsor: ZuWo

[ZuWo]

The title of this amendment should be self-explanatory to a certain degree. A major problem we have encountered quite frequently when trying to pass amendments is that, according to the wording of the Mideast Constitution, "abstain" votes have to be treated in the same way as "nay" votes. In order to get passed, an amendment needs to get the support of at least two-thirds of the voting population so in the following scenario

Amendment X

Aye: 12
Nay: 6
Abstain: 1
Total number of votes: 19

the amendment in questions fails because only 12 of the total 19 votes are "aye" votes. Since not everyone seems to be aware of this constitutional quirk, an amendment to fix that is in order.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I don't see any reason not to support this.

[Njall]

I don't see any reason not to support this.

Agreed. 

[tmthforu94]

This is LONG overdue! Good job, ZuWo.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

My initial reaction every time we discussed this before was, "Amendments are more substantial than bills, it should be a full 2/3s so that we ensure the people really want this", but after thinking about it more, if people really don't want the amendment, they can vote against it instead of abstaining.  The abstain votes the way they are now allows people to oppose an amendment without having to do so blatantly.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Since there's been no actual debate on this, I think we're ready to take it to a final vote.  Members will vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.  This will be a 48-hour vote.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

AYE

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Aye

[The Simpsons Cinematic Universe]

Aye

[Njall]

Aye

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Voting is now closed.  The AYEs are 4, and the NAYs are 0, with 1 not voting.  The AYEs have it, and the bill has passed.  The amendment will now go before the people for ratification.