Re: GR: Change the resolution process (corrected)
Don Armstrong <don@debian.org> writes:
> Because of this (and others), can I suggest that the ballot option be
> specified as a wdiff to the existing constitution?
Thanks to Wouter's work, here's a wdiff against the webwml of the current
constitution. This diff format makes a total hash of 6.3.1 and section A,
so it may be easier to read in the resolution text, but it hopefully makes
clearer the more minor changes made elsewhere.
Pending resolution of the other subthread about this, I will get this all
up on Salsa somewhere and then people can clone the repo with Git or use
the web interface to view the diff in whatever format they find the most
helpful.
diff --git a/english/devel/constitution.wml b/english/devel/constitution.wml
index 3a1247c3037..b87d18db9ca 100644
--- a/english/devel/constitution.wml
+++ b/english/devel/constitution.wml
@@ -234,13 +234,12 @@ earlier can overrule everyone listed later.</cite></p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The[-minimum discussion period is 2 weeks, but may be varied by-]
[- up to 1 week by the Project Leader. The-] Project Leader has a casting vote. There is a quorum of [-3Q.</p>-]{+3Q.+}
{+ The default option is "None of the above."</p>+}
</li>
<li>
<p>Proposals, sponsors, [-amendments,-]{+ballot options,+} calls for votes and other
formal actions are made by announcement on a publicly-readable
electronic mailing list designated by the Project Leader's
Delegate(s); any Developer may post there.</p>
@@ -302,7 +301,10 @@ earlier can overrule everyone listed later.</cite></p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Propose[-draft-] General Resolutions and [-amendments.</p>-]{+ballot options for General+}
{+ Resolutions. When proposed by the Project Leader, sponsors for the+}
{+ General Resolution or ballot option are not required; see+}
{+ §4.2.1.</p>+}
</li>
<li>
@@ -378,7 +380,7 @@ earlier can overrule everyone listed later.</cite></p>
<li>
The decision will be made using the method specified in section
[-§A.6-]{+§A.5+} of the Standard Resolution Procedure. The quorum is the
same as for a General Resolution (§4.2) and the default
option is <q>None Of The Above</q>.
</li>
@@ -471,7 +473,11 @@ view when making decisions in their capacity as Leader.</p>
including themselves; there is no default option. The vote
finishes when all the members have voted, or when the voting
period has ended. The result is determined using the method
specified in [-section A.6-]{+§A.5+} of the Standard Resolution Procedure.
{+There is no casting vote. If there are multiple options with no+}
{+ defeats in the Schwartz set at the end of A.5.8, the winner will+}
{+ be randomly chosen from those options, via a mechanism chosen by+}
{+ the Project Secretary.+}
</p>
</li>
@@ -548,30 +554,62 @@ view when making decisions in their capacity as Leader.</p>
<ol>
<li>
[-<p>The Technical Committee uses the Standard Resolution-]
[- Procedure.</p>-]{+<p>Resolution process.</p>+}
[-<p>A draft-]{+<p>The Technical Committee uses the following process to prepare a+}
resolution [-or amendment-]{+for vote:</p>+}
{+ <ol>+}
{+ <li>Any member of the Technical Committee+} may [-be proposed by any-]{+propose a resolution.+}
{+ This creates an initial two-option ballot, the other option being+}
{+ the default option of "Further discussion." The proposer of the+}
{+ resolution becomes the proposer of the ballot option.</li>+}
{+ <li>Any+} member of the Technical [-Committee. There-]{+Committee may propose additional+}
{+ ballot options or modify or withdraw a ballot option they+}
{+ proposed.</li>+}
{+ <li>If all ballot options except the default option are withdrawn,+}
{+ the process+} is [-no minimum discussion period;-]{+canceled.</li>+}
{+ <li>Any member of+} the [-voting period lasts-]{+Technical Committee may call+} for [-up-]{+a vote on the+}
{+ ballot as it currently stands. This vote begins immediately, but if+}
{+ any other member of the Technical Committee objects+} to [-one week, or until-]{+calling for a+}
{+ vote before+} the [-outcome-]{+vote completes, the vote+} is {+canceled and has+} no
[-longer in doubt. Members may change their votes. There-]{+effect.</li>+}
{+ <li>Two weeks after the original proposal the ballot+} is {+closed to+}
{+ any changes and voting starts automatically. This vote cannot be+}
{+ canceled.</li>+}
{+ <li>If+} a [-quorum-]{+vote is canceled under point 6.3.1.4 later than 13 days+}
{+ after the initial proposed resolution, the vote specified in point+}
{+ 6.3.1.5 instead starts 24 hours after the time+} of
[-two.</p>-]{+cancellation. During that 24 hour period, no one may call for a+}
{+ vote.</li>+}
{+ </ol>+}
</li>
<li>
<p>Details regarding voting</p>
[-<p>The-]{+<p>Votes are decided by the vote counting mechanism described in+}
{+ section §A.5. The voting period lasts for one week or until the+}
{+ outcome is no longer in doubt assuming no members change their votes,+}
{+ whichever is shorter. Members may change their votes until the voting+}
{+ period ends. There is a quorum of two. The+} Chair has a casting
vote. [-When-]{+The default option is "Further discussion."</p>+}
{+ <p>When+} the Technical Committee votes whether to override a Developer
who also happens to be a member of the Committee, that member may not
vote (unless they are the Chair, in which case they may use only their
casting vote).</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Public discussion and decision-making.</p>
<p>Discussion, draft resolutions and [-amendments,-]{+ballot options,+} and votes by
members of the committee, are made public on the Technical
Committee public discussion list. There is no separate secretary
for the Committee.</p>
@@ -611,6 +649,16 @@ view when making decisions in their capacity as Leader.</p>
failed, unless it has been asked to make a decision by the person
or body who would normally be responsible for it.</p>
</li>
{+<li>+}
{+ <p>Proposing a General Resolution.</p>+}
{+ <p>When the Technical Committee proposes a general resolution or a+}
{+ ballot option in a general resolution to the project under point+}
{+ 4.2.1, it may delegate the authority to withdraw, amend, or make minor+}
{+ changes to the ballot option to one of its members. If it does not do+}
{+ so, these decisions must be made by resolution of the Technical+}
{+ Committee.</p>+}
{+ </li>+}
</ol>
<toc-add-entry name="item-7">7. The Project Secretary</toc-add-entry>
@@ -775,123 +823,138 @@ plebiscites, where stated above.</p>
<h3>A.0. Proposal</h3>
[-<p>The-]{+<ol>+}
{+ <li>The+} formal procedure begins when a draft resolution is proposed and
sponsored, as [-required.</p>-]{+required. A draft resolution must include the text of that+}
{+ resolution and a short single-line summary suitable for labeling the+}
{+ ballot choice.</li>+}
{+ <li>This draft resolution becomes a ballot option in an initial+}
{+ two-option ballot, the other option being the default option, and the+}
{+ proposer of the draft resolution becomes the proposer of that ballot+}
{+ option.</li>+}
{+</ol>+}
<h3>A.1. Discussion and Amendment</h3>
<ol>
[-<li>Following the proposal, the-]{+<li>The discussion period starts when a draft+} resolution {+is proposed and+}
{+ sponsored. The minimum discussion period is 2 weeks. The maximum+}
{+ discussion period is 3 weeks.</li>+}
{+ <li>A new ballot option+} may be[-discussed.-]
[- Amendments may be made formal by being-] proposed and sponsored according to the
requirements for a new [-resolution, or directly by-]
[- the-]{+resolution.</li>+}
{+ <li>The+} proposer of[-the original resolution.</li>-]
[- <li>A formal amendment may be accepted by the resolution's proposer,-]
[- in which case the formal resolution draft is immediately changed to-]
[- match.</li>-]
[- <li>If-] a [-formal amendment is not accepted, or one-]{+ballot option may amend that option provided that+}
{+ none+} of the sponsors of {+that ballot option at+} the [-resolution does not agree with the acceptance by-]{+time+} the[-proposer of-]
[- a formal amendment, the amendment remains as an-] amendment[-and will be-]
[- voted on.</li>-]
[- <li>If an amendment accepted by the original proposer-] is
[-not to-]{+proposed disagree with that change within 24 hours. If any of them do+}
{+ disagree,+} the [-liking-]{+ballot option is left unchanged.</li>+}
{+ <li>The addition+} of [-others, they may propose another amendment to reverse-]{+a ballot option or+} the[-earlier-] change [-(again, they must meet the requirements for proposer-]
[- and sponsor(s).)</li>-]
[- <li>The proposer-]{+via a amendment+} of a
[-resolution may suggest-]{+ballot option+} changes[-to-] the [-wordings-]{+end+} of[-amendments; these take effect if-] the [-proposer of-]{+discussion period to be one week+}
{+ from when that action was done, unless that would make+} the [-amendment-]
[- agrees and none of-]{+total+}
{+ discussion period shorter than+} the [-sponsors object.-]{+minimum discussion period or longer+}
{+ than the maximum discussion period.+} In[-this case-] the [-changed-]
[- amendments will be voted on instead-]{+latter case, the length+} of
the [-originals.</li>-]{+discussion period is instead set to the maximum discussion+}
{+ period.</li>+}
<li>The proposer of a [-resolution-]{+ballot option+} may make {+minor+} changes to [-correct minor-]
[- errors-]{+that+}
{+ option+} (for example, typographical [-errors or inconsistencies)-]{+fixes, corrections of+}
{+ inconsistencies,+} or {+other+} changes which do not alter the [-meaning,-]{+meaning),+}
providing [-noone-]{+no Developer+} objects within 24 hours. In this case the [-minimum-]{+length+}
{+ of the+} discussion period is not [-restarted.</li>-]{+changed. If a Developer does object, the+}
{+ change must instead be made via amendment under point A.1.3.</li>+}
{+ <li>The Project Leader may, at any point in the process, increase or+}
{+ decrease the minimum and maximum discussion period by up to 1 week from+}
{+ their original values in point A.1.1, except that they may not do so in+}
{+ a way that causes the discussion period to end within 48 hours of when+}
{+ this change is made. The length of the discussion period is then+}
{+ recalculated as if the new minimum and maximum lengths had been in place+}
{+ during all previous ballot changes under points A.1.1 and A.1.4.</li>+}
{+ <li>The default option has no proposer or sponsors, and cannot be+}
{+ amended or withdrawn.</li>+}
</ol>
<h3>A.2. [-Calling for a vote</h3>-]{+Withdrawing ballot options</h3>+}
<ol>
<li>The proposer[-or a sponsor-] of a [-motion or an amendment-]{+ballot option+} may [-call-]
[- for a vote, providing that-]{+withdraw. If they do, new+}
{+ proposers may come forward to keep+} the [-minimum discussion period (if any) has-]
[- elapsed.</li>-]
[- <li>-]
[- The-]{+ballot option alive, in which+}
{+ case the first person to do so becomes the new+} proposer [-or-]{+and+} any {+others+}
{+ become sponsors if they aren't sponsors already. Any new proposer or+}
{+ sponsors must meet the requirements for proposing or sponsoring a new+}
{+ resolution.</li>+}
{+ <li>A+} sponsor of a [-resolution-]{+ballot option+} may [-call for a vote on that-]
[- resolution and all related amendments.-]
[- </li>-]
[- <li>The person who calls for a vote states what they believe-]{+withdraw.</li>+}
{+ <li>If+} the [-wordings-]{+withdrawal+} of the [-resolution and any relevant amendments are, and-]
[- consequently what form the-]{+proposer and/or sponsors means that a+}
ballot [-should take. However, the final-]
[- decision on the form of ballot(s) is-]{+option has no proposer or not enough sponsors to meet+} the
[-Secretary's - see 7.1(1),-]
[- 7.1(3)-]{+requirements for a new resolution,+} and [-A.3(4).</li>-]
[- <li>-]
[- The minimum discussion period-]{+24 hours pass without this being+}
{+ remedied by another proposer and/or sponsors stepping forward, it+} is
[-counted-]{+removed+} from the [-time-]{+draft ballot. This does not change+} the [-last-]
[- formal amendment was accepted, or since-]{+length of the+}
{+ discussion period.</li>+}
{+ <li>If all ballot options except the default option are withdrawn,+} the[-whole-]
resolution [-was proposed if no amendments have been proposed-]{+is canceled+} and [-accepted.-]
[- </li>-]{+will not be voted on.</li>+}
</ol>
<h3>A.3. [-Voting procedure</h3>-]{+Calling for a vote</h3>+}
<ol>
[-<li>-]
[- Each resolution-]{+<li>After the discussion period has ended, the Project Secretary will+}
{+ publish the ballot+} and [-its related amendments is voted on in-]{+call for+} a [-single-]{+vote. The Project Secretary may do+}
{+ this immediately following the end of the discussion period and must do+}
{+ so within five days of the end of the discussion period.</li>+}
{+ <li>The Project Secretary determines the order of ballot options. At+}
{+ their discretion they may reword the single-line summaries for+}
{+ clarity.</li>+}
{+ <li>Minor changes to ballot options under point A.1.5 may not be made+}
{+ after or within 24 hours of the end of the discussion period unless the+}
{+ Project Secretary agrees the change does not alter the meaning of the+}
ballot[-that includes an-] option {+and (if it would do so) warrants delaying the vote. The+}
{+ Project Secretary will allow 24 hours+} for {+objections after any such+}
{+ change before issuing+} the [-original-]
[- resolution, each amendment,-]{+call for a vote.</li>+}
{+ <li>No new ballot options may be proposed, no ballot options may be+}
{+ amended,+} and {+no proposers or sponsors may withdraw within 24 hours of+}
{+ the end of the discussion period unless this action successfully extends+}
{+ the discussion period under point A.1.4 by at least 24 additional+}
{+ hours.</li>+}
{+ <li>Actions to preserve the existing ballot may be taken within 24 hours+}
{+ of the end of+} the [-default-]{+discussion period, namely a sponsor objecting to an+}
{+ amendment under point A.1.3, a Developer objecting to a minor change+}
{+ under point A.1.5, stepping forward as the proposer for an existing+}
{+ ballot+} option [-(where-]
[- applicable).-]
[- </li>-]{+whose original proposer has withdrawn it under point+}
{+ A.2.1, or sponsoring an existing ballot option that has fewer than the+}
{+ required number of sponsors because of the withdrawal of a sponsor under+}
{+ point A.2.2.</li>+}
{+ <li>The Project Secretary may make an exception to point A.3.4 and+}
{+ accept changes to the ballot after they are no longer allowed, provided+}
{+ that this is done at least 24 hours prior to the issuance of a call for+}
{+ a vote. All other requirements for making a change to the ballot must+}
{+ still be met. This is expected to be rare and should only be done if the+}
{+ Project Secretary believes it would be harmful to the best interests of+}
{+ the project for the change to not be made.</li>+}
{+<h3>A.4. Voting procedure</h3>+}
[-<li>-]
[- The default option must not have any supermajority requirements.-]
[- Options-]{+<ol>+}
{+ <li>Options+} which do not have an explicit supermajority requirement have
a 1:1 majority requirement. [-</li>-]{+The default option does not have any+}
{+ supermajority requirements.</li>+}
[-<li>-]
[- The-]{+<li>The+} votes are counted according to the rules in [-A.6. The-]
[- default option is <q>Further Discussion</q>, unless specified-]
[- otherwise.-]
[- </li>-]{+§A.5.</li>+}
<li>In cases of doubt the Project Secretary shall decide on matters
of procedure.</li>
</ol>
[-<h3>A.4. Withdrawing resolutions or unaccepted amendments</h3>-]
[-<p>The proposer of a resolution or unaccepted amendment may withdraw-]
[-it. In this case new proposers may come forward keep it alive, in which-]
[-case the first person to do so becomes the new proposer and any others-]
[-become sponsors if they aren't sponsors already.</p>-]
[-<p>A sponsor of a resolution or amendment (unless it has been-]
[-accepted) may withdraw.</p>-]
[-<p>If the withdrawal of the proposer and/or sponsors means that a-]
[-resolution has no proposer or not enough sponsors it will not be voted-]
[-on unless this is rectified before the resolution expires.</p>-]<h3>A.5.[-Expiry</h3>-]
[-<p>-]
[- If a proposed resolution has not been discussed, amended, voted on or-]
[- otherwise dealt with for 4 weeks the secretary may issue a statement-]
[- that the issue is being withdrawn. If none of the sponsors of any-]
[- of the proposals object within a week, the issue is withdrawn.-]
[-</p>-]
[-<p>-]
[- The secretary may also include suggestions on how to proceed,-]
[- if appropriate.-]
[-</p>-]
[-<h3>A.6.-] Vote Counting</h3>
<ol>
<li> Each voter's ballot ranks the options being voted on. Not all
@@ -980,12 +1043,11 @@ on unless this is rectified before the resolution expires.</p>
options are options they find unacceptable.
</p>
<p><cite>When the {+vote counting mechanism of the+} Standard Resolution
Procedure is to be used, the text which refers to it must specify [-what is sufficient to have-]{+who has+}
a [-draft-]
[-resolution proposed and/or sponsored, what-]{+casting vote,+} the [-minimum discussion-]
[-period is, and what-]{+quorum,+} the [-voting period is. It must also specify-]{+default option, and+} any supermajority
[-and/or the quorum (and-]{+requirement. The+} default [-option) to be-]
[-used.</cite></p>-]{+option must not have any supermajority+}
{+requirements.</cite></p>+}
<toc-add-entry name="item-B">B. Use of language and typography</toc-add-entry>
--
Russ Allbery (rra@debian.org) <https://www.eyrie.org/~eagle/>
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