Abstentions and Recusals: How do they count toward the vote tally and quorum?

If a town council has 5 members, and 2 vote yes and 3 abstain or recuse, did the motion pass?  Was there a quorum for the purposes of the vote?  Is an abstention considered a yes vote, a no vote, or neither?  These are common questions.  Current guidance is murky, however, and calls for legislation. Read More …

Two Sayreville officials’ failure to recuse may have run afoul of Ethics Law

While they acted transparently, two Sayreville Borough council members may have violated the Local Government Ethics Law by not recusing themselves from a vote benefiting their family members. Had they recused, the motion would not have passed. The vote involved the declaration of five police vacancies and, with that vote, use of an existing less-than-current Read More …