Balloting/Handling Negative Votes

General Overview of Different Levels of Balloting Subcommittee New Standards Major Revisions Provisional Standards Concurrent/Cover Letter Main/Society Review/Reapprovals

Subcommittee Balloting Initiation & Authorization of Subcommittee Letter Ballots Ballot Open for Minimum of 30 Days Qualifications for Valid Subcommittee Letter Ballots – 60% return and 2/3 affirmative Late Ballot Returns

Subcommittee Ballot Results Ballot Results Summary By ASTM Considering Ballot Results Disposition of Negatives Affirmative Votes w/ Comment

Initiation of Main Committee Ballots Timeliness Ballot Preparation Time Open for 30 Days

Qualifications for Valid Main Committee Ballots 60% Return 90% Affirmative of Combined Affirmative and Negative Votes Late Ballot Returns Closing Reports Final Ballot Results Disposition of Negatives Affirmative Votes w/ Comments

Society Review Concurrent with Main Committee Ballot ASTM Website Ballot Requirements Disposition of All Negatives

Committee on Standards (COS) Due Process Appeals Based on Procedural Matters (NOT Technical) COS Ballot Procedures Approval

Provisional Standards Initiation/Authorization Limited Consensus – Sub Ballot Only Published for Two Years PS Designation

The Three-Step Approach to Handling Negative Votes Communication Consideration Documentation

Six Resolutions of a Negative Vote Persuasive Withdrawn Outright Withdrawn with Editorial Change(s) Not Related Not Persuasive Previously Considered

Persuasive General Agreement Lack of a not persuasive motion A not persuasive motion fails (does not achieve a 2/3 affirmative) Item is removed from ballot for re-work

Withdrawn w/wo Editorial Change Withdrawn by the voter If editorial changes are involved, please include for next level of balloting or submit to staff manager May also make editorial changes during final review prior to publication

Not Persuasive/Not Related Difference between two considerations Motion/Second/Rationale 2/3 affirmative vote at a meeting or via letter ballot Sub Neg. – Sub only Main/Soc. Neg. – Sub & Main

Communication/Consideration/ Documentation: Subcommittee Communication – Meeting agendas, minutes, correspondence, direct contact between member & negative voter Consideration – Subcommittee meeting or via subcommittee letter ballot Documentation – Subcommittee minutes or correspondence

Communication/Consideration/ Documentation: Main Committee/Society Communication – ASTM Staff via negative vote resolution forms plus other subcommittee mechanisms Consideration – Both subcommittee and main committee at a meeting or via ballot Documentation – Forms, minutes, correspondence

Helpful Hints Persuasive negatives REMOVE the item from ballot Submit editorially revised document with negative vote resolution forms to ASTM staff Try to contact the negative voter Ballot controversial sections individually

More Hints Address each portion of the negative vote in the subcommittees consideration Use good judgment when balloting sections separately Provide clear and informative cover letter for ballot item(s)