abstentions
Neither yes nor
Abstentions are instances of refraining from something, most often from voting.
In parliamentary procedure, an abstention is neither a yes nor a no—a way of being present without taking a side: The motion passed with twelve in favor, three opposed, and two abstentions.
The word can also refer to refraining from alcohol, food, or other indulgences.
Voting forms
- quorumMinimum for valid proceedings
- tallyRecorded count
- proxyAuthorized substitute
- majorityOver half of total
minority · nonvoting · present · undecided · uncommitted · deliberation · motion · resolution
Habitual moderation in behavior
- sobrietyUnimpaired mental state
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- restraintControl over impulses
- moderationAvoidance of excess
fasting · celibacy · teetotalism · asceticism · renunciation · forbearance · continence · self-discipline
Organized economic protest
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
resistance · disapproval · rejection · refusal · withholding · walkout · sit-out · conscientious
Freedom from prejudice
- nonpartisanshipAbsence of party affiliation
- objectivityFreedom from personal bias
- evenhandednessUnbiased, balanced judgment
- nonalignmentRefusal to join blocs
noninvolvement · disinterest · detachment · fairness · balance · unbiased · dispassion · judiciousness
ballots
Voting forms
majority · minority · nonvoting · present · undecided · uncommitted · deliberation · motion · resolution · procedural
temperance
Habitual moderation in behavior
- sobrietyUnimpaired mental state
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- restraintControl over impulses
moderation · fasting · celibacy · teetotalism · asceticism · renunciation · forbearance · continence · self-discipline · willpower
boycott
Organized economic protest
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
defiance · resistance · disapproval · rejection · refusal · withholding · walkout · sit-out · conscientious · principled
impartiality
Freedom from prejudice
- nonpartisanshipAbsence of party affiliation
- objectivityFreedom from personal bias
- evenhandednessUnbiased, balanced judgment
nonalignment · noninvolvement · disinterest · detachment · fairness · balance · unbiased · dispassion · judiciousness · recusal
- meeting minutesminutes, agenda, attendance, roll call, motions
- Assemblydelegations, resolutions, quorum rules, voting procedures, roll call votes
- bylawsarticles, voting, clause, membership, provision
- UN AssemblyGeneral Assembly, resolutions, delegates, delegations, member states
- UN resolutions
abstentionsvotes
Formal choices recorded
nays · yeas · ayes · voting · participation
abstentionscommitments
Promises requiring follow-through
decisions · declarations · endorsements · rejections · objections