Sam Hartman <hartmans@debian.org> writes:
> I propose the followiwng general resolution, which will require a 3:1
> super majority to pass.
> I'm seeking sponsors for this resolution.
I sponsor the resolution quoted below.
> Rationale
> =========
> During the vote for GR_2021_002o, several developers said they were
> uncomfortable voting because under the process at that time, their name
> and ballot ranking would be public.
> A number of participants in the discussion believe that we would get
> election results that more accurately reflect the will of the developers
> if we do not make the name associated with a particular vote on the
> tally sheet public.
> Several people believed that the ranked votes without names attached
> would still be valuable public information.
> This proposal would treat all elections like DPL elections.
> At the same time it relaxes the requirement that the secretary must
> conduct a vote via email. There are no current plans to move away from
> email, although some members of the project want to explore
> alternatives. If this proposal passes, adopting such an alternative
> would require sufficient support in the project but would not require
> another constitutional amendment.
> This proposal relies on the secretary's existing power to decide how
> votes are conducted. During discussion we realized that there is no
> mechanism to override a specific decision of the secretary, and the
> language allowing the project to replace the secretary is ambiguous.
> Summary of Changes
> ==================
> 1) Do not make the identity of a voter casting a particular vote
> public.
> 2) Do not require that votes be conducted by email.
> 3) Clarify that the developers can replace the secretary at any time.
> 4) Provide a procedure for overriding the decision of the project
> secretary or their delegate. Overriding the decision of what super
> majority is required or overriding the determination of election
> outcome requires a 3:1 majority. The chair of the technical committee
> decides who conducts such votes.
> 6) Codify that our election system must permit independent verification
> of the outcome given the votes cast and must permit developers to
> confirm their vote is included in the votes cast.
> General Resolution==================
> The developers resolve to make the changes to the Debian Constitution
> embodied in git commit ed88a1e3c1fc367ee89620a73047d84a797c9a1d.
> As of February 23, 2022, this commit can be found at
> https://salsa.debian.org/hartmans/webwml/-/commit/ed88a1e3c1fc367ee89620a73047d84a797c9a1d
> For convenience a word-diff of the changes is included below. In case
> the diff differs from the commit, the commit governs.
> @@ -179,9 +179,27 @@ earlier can overrule everyone listed later.</cite></p>
> </li>
> <li>
> [-<p>In case of-]{+<p>Appoint+} a [-disagreement between-]{+new secretary. In the normal case ( §7.2) where+} the project
> leader and {+secretary agree on+} the [-incumbent-]{+next+} secretary, [-appoint a new secretary.</p>-]{+this power of+}
> {+ the developers is not used.</p>+}
> </li>
> {+<li>+}
> {+ <p>Override a decision of the project secretary or their+}
> {+ delegate.</p>+}
> {+ <p>Overriding the determination of what super majority is required+}
> {+ for a particular ballot option or overriding the determination of+}
> {+ the outcome of an election requires the developers to agree by a+}
> {+ 3:1 majority. The determination of the majority required to+}
> {+ override a decision of the secretary is not subject to+}
> {+ override.</p>+}
> {+ <p>The chair of the technical committee decides who acts as+}
> {+ secretary for a general resolution to override a decision of the+}
> {+ project secretary or their delegate. If the decision was not made+}
> {+ by the chair of the technical committee, the committee chair may+}
> {+ themselves act as secretary. The decision of who acts as secretary+}
> {+ for such a general resolution is not subject to override.</p>+}
> </ol>
> <h3>4.2. Procedure</h3>
> @@ -228,9 +246,10 @@ earlier can overrule everyone listed later.</cite></p>
> <p>
> Votes are taken by the Project Secretary. Votes, tallies, and
> results are not revealed during the voting period; after the
> vote the Project Secretary lists all the votes {+cast in sufficient detail that anyone may verify the outcome of the election from the votes cast. The+}
> {+ identity of a developer casting a particular vote is not made+}
> {+ public, but developers will be given an option to confirm their vote is included in the votes+} cast. The voting period is 2 weeks, but may be varied by up
> to 1 week by the Project Leader.
> </p>
> </li>
> @@ -247,7 +266,7 @@ earlier can overrule everyone listed later.</cite></p>
> </li>
> <li>
> <p>Votes are cast[-by email-] in a manner suitable to the Secretary.
> The Secretary determines for each poll whether voters can change
> their votes.</p>
> </li>
> @@ -371,8 +390,7 @@ earlier can overrule everyone listed later.</cite></p>
> necessary.</li>
> <li>The next two weeks are the polling period during which
> Developers may cast their votes. [-Votes in leadership elections are-]
> [- kept secret, even after the election is finished.</li>-]{+</li>+}
> <li>The options on the ballot will be those candidates who have
> nominated themselves and have not yet withdrawn, plus None Of The
--
Russ Allbery (rra@debian.org) <https://www.eyrie.org/~eagle/>
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