Thanks to both Thomas and James. That was sloppy language on my part 
talking of abstention votes.

I understand the issue both of how something is determined to be the 
majority and the role of abstentions. Would you please confirm what 
happens if someone specifically asks that the chair record the number of 
abstentions along with the votes for and against. It's the chair 
entitled to refuse this request? My apologies if I am simply not reading 
this in the references you have sent the already.

Sally

Thomas Giordano wrote:
> From 
>
> http://www.robertsrules.com/faq.html ,
>
> two relevant questions and answers are:
>
> Question 4:
> In determining the result of a vote, what constitutes a majority? 
>
> Answer:
> The word "majority" in this context means, simply, more than half. The use of any other definition, such as 50 percent plus one, is apt to cause problems. Suppose in voting on a motion 17 votes are cast, 9 in favor and 8 opposed. Fifty percent of the votes cast is 8 1/2, so that 50 percent plus one would be 9 1/2. Under such an erroneous definition of a majority, one might say that the motion was not adopted because it did not receive fifty percent plus one of the votes cast, although it was, quite clearly, passed by a majority vote. [RONR <javascript:popUp('citation.html')>  (10th ed.), p. 387; see also p. 66 of RONR <javascript:popUp('citation.html')>  In Brief.]
>
> Question 6:
> Do abstention votes count? 
>
> Answer:
> The phrase "abstention votes" is an oxymoron, an abstention being a refusal to vote. To abstain means to refrain from voting, and, as a consequence, there can be no such thing as an "abstention vote." 
>
> In the usual situation, where either a majority vote or a two-thirds vote is required, abstentions have absolutely no effect on the outcome of the vote since what is required is either a majority or two thirds of the votes cast. On the other hand, if the vote required is a majority or two thirds of the members present, or a majority or two thirds of the entire membership, an abstention will have the same effect as a "no" vote. Even in such a case, however, an abstention is not a vote. [RONR <javascript:popUp('citation.html')>  (10th ed.), p. 387, l. 7-13; p. 388, l. 3-6; p. 390, l. 13-24; see also p.66 of RONR <javascript:popUp('citation.html')>  In Brief.] 
>
> 	-----Original Message----- 
> 	From: Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) Talk on behalf of Sally Gunz 
> 	Sent: Wed 5/12/2010 10:58 AM 
> 	To: [log in to unmask] 
> 	Cc: 
> 	Subject: question about Roberts Rules
> 	
> 	
>
> 	I have a question about Robert's rules of order.
> 	
> 	After the vote for and against is taken, if a member asks about
> 	abstentions, should the chair ask how many people abstain ( note, the
> 	chair was counting the number of votes for and against)? In this case
> 	the chair said Robert's rules of order to not allow abstentions to be
> 	counted.
> 	
> 	I realize that an abstention does not count in terms of whether a motion
> 	wins or loses. The question is whether the number of abstentions should
> 	be recorded if the request is made?
> 	
> 	if anyone is an expert on these questions, would you mind getting back
> 	to me please? If you could also reference the place in Robert's rules
> 	where any relevant point is located I would be grateful.
> 	
> 	Thanks.
> 	
> 	Sally
> 	
>
>