Blame about/governance/voting.md

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---
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title: "CentOS Governance - Voting"
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layout: page
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permalink: /:path/:basename/index.html
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toc: true
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---
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The voting system used by all SIGs and the Governing Board uses a
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[consensus-based decision
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model](/about/governance/appendix-glossary/#consensus-decision-making) except
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where noted.
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Except where noted, decisions require 3 yes votes (+1) and no objections (-1's)
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and, except as noted below, votes should be left open for at least 72 hours.
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Any Board member may cast a vote in any SIG vote and it is considered binding
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(counted against the vote). If a vote is held on a public list (e.g., to test
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the broader consensus of a group) only the votes of the Board members for Board
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votes or SIG committers or Board members for SIG votes are considered binding.
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All other votes are just considered as valuable data in the decision process.
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Board business may be conducted on a private or public list, whichever is more
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appropriate for the issue at hand.
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All -1s votes require reason/ explanation, -1's with no substantiation may be
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overturned. 
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## When do votes need to be called?
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Votes need to be called for all substantial business. Votes need to be left
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open for a reasonable period (not less than 72 hours) if members of the Board
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are not available to participate in the vote; provided that for votes/matters
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that have been deemed time or business critical by Red Hat, as noted below,
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voting must be held open until the Liaison has voted.
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_Lazy consensus_ may be used for non-substantial business. Lazy consensus is
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defined as asking for objections as opposed to calling for a vote. Any
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objection on lazy consensus is considered the same as a -1 on a vote. There is
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no minimum +1 vote requirement.
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## Role of the Liaison
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The Liaison also has the role of dealing with issues such as security, export,
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or items that have a direct legal or other Red Hat business connection for the
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Project, and on issues of such business may have an additional role as defined
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by the following:
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A. If a decision/solution cannot be found on an issue that is deemed time
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and/or business critical by Red Hat then, after a reasonable time, the Liaison
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may be requested by the Chair to seek assistance from Red Hat in making the
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decision, obtaining additional input from Red Hat executives, engineers, and
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stakeholders.
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B.  The Liaison may, in exceptional circumstances, make a decision on behalf of
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the Board if a consensus has not been reached on an issue that is deemed time
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or business critical by Red Hat if:  (1) a board quorum (i.e., a majority) is
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present or a quorum of Board members has cast their votes; or (2) after 3
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working days if a Board quorum is not present at a meeting or a quorum has not
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cast their votes (list votes); provided that the Chair may (or at the request
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of the Liaison, will) call a meeting and demand that a quorum be present.  
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Unless the Liaison specifically indicates on a specific issue that they are
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acting in their official capacity as Liaison, either prior to a vote or later
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(e.g., after an issue has been deemed time or business critical), the Liaison's
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voice and vote is treated the same as any other member of the Board. Decisions
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indicated as Liaison decisions made on behalf of the Board by the Liaison may
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not be overturned.