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What is Abstention?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 13,660
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Abstention is a word which is used in several different legal senses. This word means “to refrain,” as for example when someone might claim to be abstaining from alcohol, meaning that this person is not drinking alcohol. In a legal sense, abstention can involve withholding a vote, refraining from a particular activity, or refusing to have an opinion on a legal matter. Many governments have procedures in place to allow people to formally abstain.

In elections, people may choose to abstain from voting because they do not like the choices or they wish to challenge the validity of the election. Staying at home on election day is a form of abstention but people who would like to formally record their protest can choose to go to the polls and cast a blank ballot. Also known as a blank vote or white ballot, the ballot is considered spoiled by the elections personnel, but will be counted along with other ballots. People may refer to this type of abstention as “making a protest vote.”

In parliamentary procedure, people who are present for a vote can vote aye, nay, or abstain. People may opt for abstention if they have a conflict of interest which they believe precludes them from voting. An abstention can also be recorded as a form of protest. For example, a legislator who is opposed to a piece of legislature might abstain or vote “present,” depending on the procedures in the legislature, to mark discontent with the way in which the legislation was handled.

Courts can also engage in abstention. If a court feels that it cannot rule on a matter before it, it may abstain. This is usually done when a court wishes to refer a matter to another court. The abstaining court must usually provide a reason for the fact that it is declining to give a ruling. In cases where judges believe that there is a conflict of interest, they are obligated to recuse themselves from the bench and the court selects another judge to hear the case.

It is generally recognized that people should be allowed to choose abstention as an option, rather than being compelled to vote for or against something or to vote from a group of choices which they feel are all poor. Abstention is also an important mechanism for allowing people who have conflicts of interest or biases to excuse themselves from a vote.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a MyLawQuestions researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By strawCake — On Oct 04, 2011

@ceilingcat - Yeah, people who don't vote out of laziness really make me angry. Not every one gets the right to vote like we do in this country! We shouldn't take it for granted.

Anyway, I think it's a good thing that courts have to explain why they are abstaining from making a ruling. I think that for a court to just not rule, they should have a good reason!

By ceilingcat — On Oct 03, 2011

I think the only way to differentiate between people who abstain from voting out of laziness and those who do so in protest is the white ballot.

In order to cast a blank ballot you have to make the effort to actual go to the polling place and cast your vote. This definitely says that you are abstaining from voting in protest.

However, sadly, a lot of people in this country don't vote. So not every one who stays home on election day is waging some kind of political protest. Some of them are just lazy, or don't care. Of course, these non-voters are usually the ones that complain the loudest when the elected officials mess up later!

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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