Objection and veto¶
In consent and consensus, proposals are not put to a vote; instead, it is checked whether anyone objects to them. There are two tools for this, and they differ in terms of how strict they are.
Objection¶
An objection raises concerns or suggests an improvement. It must be substantiated – an objection sets out the reasons why the person is still reluctant to support the proposal.
As long as your objection stands, you cannot agree. Rhizome asks you to withdraw it first.
The effect of an objection depends on the method:
| Consent | The decision enters the Objection Pending state. It has not failed, but is on hold. Participants can still finalise it. |
| Consensus | The decision enters the Objection Pending state and cannot be successfully concluded whilst the objection remains. Consensus requires the agreement of all, and an objection is the opposite of that. |
Anyone who has raised an objection can edit it, mark it as resolved or withdraw it. An objection that has been resolved can be reopened.
The usual way to resolve an objection is to draft a new version of the proposal that takes it on board. Anyone who is involved in shaping it can do this. In doing so, all previous contributions are reset: this is because the group has decided on a different text to the one that is currently there.
Veto¶
A veto blocks the decision. As long as it remains in place, the decision cannot be successfully finalised – not even by those involved in shaping it, nor by someone drafting a new version of the proposal. Only the person who imposed the veto can lift it.
That is where the real difference from an objection lies: anyone can incorporate an objection by proposing a new version, and the person who raised the objection can reject the proposal if they feel it does not address their point. With a veto, this option does not exist.
Once a veto has been lifted, it is gone for good. An objection can be reopened, but a veto cannot.
Stepping aside¶
Anyone who does not wish to take part in a decision may stepping aside. This is not a secret abstention: the action is visible, it is accompanied by a reason, and it counts as participation – a quorum is thereby met. As long as you have stepped aside, you cannot vote; you must rejoin the decision-making process first.
Unlike an objection and a veto, abstention is an option in every joint decision. In voting procedures, it is in fact the only option available apart from the vote itself.
Where to find it¶
| Consent, consensus, nomination round | Objection, veto, alternative, abstention |
| majority vote, scoring, ranking, opposition check | abstention only |
| Consultation | none of these – here, insight are requested |
| Role-based | none of these – here, settling questions remain |
There are therefore no objections or vetoes in the voting methods. In this context, dissent is expressed as a vote: via none of these, via a high resistance value, or via a lower ranking.
All of this is available whilst the decision is ongoing and you are one of the participants. Once it has been finalised and Feedback is open, a comment box will appear in place of the menu.