There are two ways to step back from a vote as a board member. One keeps you in the room. One takes you out of it entirely. Knowing the difference and when each one applies is more important than most board members realize until they're in a situation where it matters.

What an Abstention Is

An abstention is a formal choice not to vote. It is not a vote in favor. It is not a vote against. It is the board member saying, for whatever reason, that they are not casting a vote on this particular motion.

That sounds simple. The confusion comes from what an abstention does and doesn't do to the outcome.

An abstention does not count as a yes or a no. In most voting situations, a motion passes if it receives a majority of votes cast. An abstention removes you from the pool of votes cast, which means it can affect whether a motion passes depending on how close the count is.

Here's a simple example. Seven board members are present. Four vote yes, two vote no and one abstains. The motion passes four to two. The abstention didn't sink it but it also didn't help it.

Now change it slightly. Five board members are present. Two vote yes, two vote no and one abstains. The motion fails because it didn't get a majority of votes cast. That abstention mattered.

Depending on the circumstances, not voting is not a neutral act.

When to Abstain

Insufficient information. If you genuinely don't have enough information to make an informed decision and the board is moving to a vote anyway, abstaining is a legitimate choice. It signals that you weren't ready to vote rather than that you opposed the motion.

Legal or ethical concerns. If something about the motion gives you pause from a legal or ethical standpoint and you haven't been able to resolve that concern before the vote, abstaining preserves your position without registering a yes or no.

When Not to Abstain

Abstaining because you want to avoid controversy, because you don't want to upset anyone or because you haven't done your homework is a different matter. Board members have a responsibility to be informed and to vote. Using abstention as a way to dodge a hard call is avoidance.

If you find yourself abstaining regularly across a range of issues, that's worth reflecting on. Either you're consistently unprepared or you're consistently conflict-averse. Neither serves the board or the community well.

How to Abstain

When the chair calls for the vote, state your abstention clearly. "Abstain" or "I abstain" is sufficient. The chair should record it in the minutes. If you want your reason noted for the record, briefly state it: "I abstain due to a conflict of interest." The secretary should include that in the minutes.

Don't make a speech about why you're abstaining. State it, let it be recorded and move on.

What a Recusal Is

Recusal is the other path. When you recuse yourself, you remove yourself from the discussion and the vote entirely. You typically leave the room or step away from the virtual meeting for that agenda item. Your name may still appear in the minutes as recused but you take no part in deliberation or decision.

Recusal is a higher standard than abstention. You're not just choosing not to vote. You're removing yourself from the conversation because your presence in it would compromise the integrity of the process.

When to Recuse

• You have a personal or financial interest in the outcome. This is the most common reason for recusal and in many cases your governing documents or state law will require it rather than leave it to your discretion.
• A board member is voting on a contract with a vendor they have a financial relationship with
• A board member is being asked to vote on a matter directly involving a family member
• A board member serves on another board that has a direct stake in the outcome
• A board member is the subject of the item being discussed
• State law or your governing documents require it for specific situations

When in doubt about whether to abstain or recuse, err toward recusal. Some organizations and state laws require recusal in specific situations and abstaining in those cases is not sufficient.

How to Recuse

Before the agenda item is called, let the chair know you will be recusing yourself. State it for the record when the item comes up: "I'm recusing myself from this item due to a conflict of interest." Then step out of the room or the virtual meeting until the item is resolved.

The secretary should note your recusal in the minutes. When the board moves to the next item, return and rejoin.

Don't wait until the discussion is already underway to recuse. If you know the conflict exists before the meeting, flag it in advance. Late recusals raise questions about what you may have heard before stepping out.

A Note on Forced Voting

Some boards have standing rules or bylaws that require members to vote unless they have a declared conflict of interest. If yours does, abstaining without a legitimate reason may be a procedural violation. Check your governing documents.

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