Bug#727708: call for votes on default Linux init system for jessie

[Sam Hartman <hartmans@debian.org>]

>>>>> "Bdale" == Bdale Garbee <bdale@gag.com> writes:

    Bdale> Steve Langasek <vorlon@debian.org> writes:
    >> FWIW I have always assumed that the casting vote is implicit in
    >> the chair's ballot.  To require the chair to explicitly exercise
    >> their casting vote, as opposed to the chair's preferences as
    >> expressed on the ballot being applied automatically, opens up
    >> another set of vote gaming strategies that we really shouldn't
    >> get into.

    Bdale> I would have assumed that, too, but since others did not
    Bdale> share the assumption, it seemed prudent to be explicit about
    Bdale> it.

This assumption does not make sense to me in the following cases:

* Chair ranks multiple options equilly

* All of the options that the chair is choosing between were ranked by
  the chair below FD

* At least one of the options was not ranked by the chair.

* I don't know if casting votes can come up in DPL elections or if there
are any other circumstances with secret ballots.

I think you're safer just casting an explicit casting vote.