- Section B: Board Governance and Operations
BEDFA - ABSTENTIONS
An abstention is a non-expression and cannot be considered a vote in favor of or against a motion.
Each member of a public body has the duty to express a choice or preference by voting on the issues, but can legally abstain from doing so when there is a statutory or ethical conflict of interest. Not to vote is to abstain.
Abstentions are intended for situations where a member may have a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the matter being voted on or when voting on minutes from a meeting for which they were not in attendance.
Legal Reference: 30 MRSA § 2605 et seq.
Cross Reference: BCB - Board Member Conflict of Interest
BEDF - Voting Method
Adopted: 06/01/09
Reviewed: 05/15/17
Revised: 7/25/22
- Section B