Difference between revisions of "Abstaining"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''absteinen'', from Anglo-French ''asteign''-, ''absteign''-, stem of ''astenir'', ''abstenir'', from [[Latin]] ''abstinēre'', from ''abs''-, ''ab''- + ''tenēre'' to hold | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''absteinen'', from Anglo-French ''asteign''-, ''absteign''-, stem of ''astenir'', ''abstenir'', from [[Latin]] ''abstinēre'', from ''abs''-, ''ab''- + ''tenēre'' to hold | ||
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century] |
==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
*1 : to refrain deliberately and often with an [[effort]] of self-denial from an [[action]] or [[practice]] <abstain from drinking> | *1 : to refrain deliberately and often with an [[effort]] of self-denial from an [[action]] or [[practice]] <abstain from drinking> | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''Abstention''' is a term in [[election]] [[procedure]] for when a participant in a vote either does not go to vote (on election day) or, in [ | + | '''Abstention''' is a term in [[election]] [[procedure]] for when a participant in a vote either does not go to vote (on election day) or, in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_procedure parliamentary procedure], is present during the vote, but does not cast a ballot. Abstention must be [[contrasted]] with "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blank_vote blank vote]", in which a voter casts a ballot willfully made invalid by marking it wrongly or by not marking anything at all. A "blank (or white) voter" has voted, although his vote may be considered a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoilt_vote spoilt vote], depending on each [[legislation]], while an abstaining voter hasn't voted. Both forms (abstention and blank vote) may or may not, depending on the circumstances, be considered to be [[protest]] vote. |
An abstention may be used to indicate the voting individual's ambivalence about the measure, or mild disapproval that does not rise to the level of active [[opposition]]. Abstention can also be used when someone has a certain [[position]] about an issue, but since the [[popular]] sentiment supports the opposite, it might be not be politically expedient to vote according to his or her [[conscience]]. A person may also abstain when they do not feel adequately informed about the issue at hand, or has not [[participated]] in relevant [[discussion]]. In parliamentary procedure, a member may be required to abstain in the case of a real or perceived [[conflict]] of interest. | An abstention may be used to indicate the voting individual's ambivalence about the measure, or mild disapproval that does not rise to the level of active [[opposition]]. Abstention can also be used when someone has a certain [[position]] about an issue, but since the [[popular]] sentiment supports the opposite, it might be not be politically expedient to vote according to his or her [[conscience]]. A person may also abstain when they do not feel adequately informed about the issue at hand, or has not [[participated]] in relevant [[discussion]]. In parliamentary procedure, a member may be required to abstain in the case of a real or perceived [[conflict]] of interest. | ||
| − | Abstentions do not count in tallying the vote negatively or positively; when members abstain, they are in [[effect]] attending only to contribute to a [ | + | Abstentions do not count in tallying the vote negatively or positively; when members abstain, they are in [[effect]] attending only to contribute to a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/quorum quorum]. White votes, however, may be counted in the total of [[vote]]s, depending on the [[legislation]].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstain] |
[[Category: Political Science]] | [[Category: Political Science]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:37, 12 December 2020
Origin
Middle English absteinen, from Anglo-French asteign-, absteign-, stem of astenir, abstenir, from Latin abstinēre, from abs-, ab- + tenēre to hold
Definition
- 1 : to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice <abstain from drinking>
Description
Abstention is a term in election procedure for when a participant in a vote either does not go to vote (on election day) or, in parliamentary procedure, is present during the vote, but does not cast a ballot. Abstention must be contrasted with "blank vote", in which a voter casts a ballot willfully made invalid by marking it wrongly or by not marking anything at all. A "blank (or white) voter" has voted, although his vote may be considered a spoilt vote, depending on each legislation, while an abstaining voter hasn't voted. Both forms (abstention and blank vote) may or may not, depending on the circumstances, be considered to be protest vote.
An abstention may be used to indicate the voting individual's ambivalence about the measure, or mild disapproval that does not rise to the level of active opposition. Abstention can also be used when someone has a certain position about an issue, but since the popular sentiment supports the opposite, it might be not be politically expedient to vote according to his or her conscience. A person may also abstain when they do not feel adequately informed about the issue at hand, or has not participated in relevant discussion. In parliamentary procedure, a member may be required to abstain in the case of a real or perceived conflict of interest.
Abstentions do not count in tallying the vote negatively or positively; when members abstain, they are in effect attending only to contribute to a quorum. White votes, however, may be counted in the total of votes, depending on the legislation.[1]
