What does abstention mean when voting?
To abstain from voting at a board meeting means that a board member chooses not to cast a vote either in favor or against a motion or resolution.
This may occur for personal, ethical, or legal reasons — such as a conflict of interest — or simply due to indecision or lack of information. In legal or governance contexts, the abstention meaning in law refers to a member being present but refraining from participation in the decision.
It’s essentially a formal way of saying, “I’m present, but I’m not voting.” This action may also be referred to as an abstention or abstain vote, depending on organizational terminology.
Why do board members abstain?
Board members may abstain when:
- They have a conflict of interest
- They feel unqualified to vote on a matter
- They believe the vote could reflect poorly on their integrity
- They need more information before taking a position
Understanding why board members may choose not to vote is essential for governance transparency and maintaining trust among stakeholders.
In some settings — such as court proceedings or legal boards — abstaining can reflect a procedural or ethical stance.
A related governance question is: can a board member vote for themselves? In many nonprofits and corporations, this depends on the bylaws and conflict-of-interest policies.
How is an abstain vote counted?
How an abstention is treated depends on the organization’s bylaws and parliamentary procedures, most commonly Robert’s Rules of Order.
According to Robert’s Rules, abstentions are not counted as votes at all. They are simply recorded as “present but not voting.” They do not contribute to the “yes” or “no” vote totals, nor do they affect whether a motion passes or fails.
This is important when considering questions like:
- Do abstentions count as “no” votes Robert’s Rules? → No, they do not.
- How does Robert’s Rules define an abstention vote? → It refers to a member being recorded as “present but not voting,” with no impact on the vote tally.
Most boards include abstentions in the meeting minutes by noting the member’s name and marking them as “present, abstained.” Learn more about how to record an abstention in minutes under your board’s procedures or Robert’s Rules.
Example in practice
Let’s say there are 10 board members. A motion requires a majority vote to pass.
- 6 vote “yes”
- 2 vote “no”
- 2 abstain
In this case, the abstentions don’t count toward the vote. The result is 6–2, and the motion passes with a clear majority.
Frequently asked questions
An abstention means a board member is present but chooses not to vote, while a “no” vote actively opposes the motion. Abstentions do not count toward the total vote.
This depends on the organization’s bylaws. In many cases, a board member may vote for themselves unless there is a clear conflict of interest.
Meeting minutes typically note abstentions by listing the board member’s name and stating they were “present, abstained.” The exact format can vary by organization.
No. Under Robert’s Rules of Order, abstentions are not counted as either a “yes” or “no” vote. They are simply noted as “present but not voting.”
No. Abstaining means choosing not to vote while being present. Recusing oneself typically means stepping away entirely from the discussion and vote due to a conflict of interest.
Related Terms
- Quorum
- Conflict of Interest
- Resolution
- Motion
- Robert’s Rules of Order
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