[council] Motion for using a secret ballot for the chair election on 28 Oct.

[Avri Doria <avri@xxxxxxx>]

Hi,

I have checked with legal and with Policy Staff and it has been  
determined:
- That voting for Chair may be either by open or closed vote, there is  
nothing in the bylaws or operating procedures to prohibit a secret  
ballot.
- No default currently exists since nothing is specified in the bylaws  
or operating procedures, and there is a new Council being seated. The  
Council could vote on whether to conduct a closed vote which would be  
decided by a simple majority of both voting houses.
- That for election of Council chair, if the 60 % threshold of both  
houses is met in a face to face vote, there is no need for an absentee  
vote.
Since we have a difference of opinion within the old council, and I  
assume within the new council on this issue, it makes sense for there  
to be a vote to determine whether the vote is open or closed.
I propose (although I cannot move, as I will not be a voting member at  
the time the motion is voted on) the following motion:
----

Whereas the ByLaws and Operating Procedures are silent on whether  
elections are held as open or secret ballots,
and the old council has in its history held both open and secret  
ballots,
and the new council has not yet set any precedents,

Resolved,

The 2009 Ballot for GNSO Council, and any necessary followup ballots,   
will be held as secret ballots using paper ballots for council members  
in attendance at the Seoul meetings and, if required, using a 24 email  
ballot for any absent members.
----

Paper ballots are being prepared in the eventuality that this motion  
is made, seconded and prevails by a majority in each house.  The vote  
on this motion would be taken as the first item during the Election  
agenda item of the Wednesday 28 October meeting.   I will ask for  
someone to move and second the motion at that time.

Thank you

a.