Time Limit for Polling?

[Bill_in_PDX]

FortyJ pointed out recently in the judiciary thread that there may be problems someday with our open ended polling rules.

Here's a recap of the issue:

Polls generally are posted with the phrase: "Open 48 hours or until quorum is reached"

In practice, that means the poll is closed once 48 hours is up and quorum is achieved. There shouldn't be any problem there.

But what about polls posted with no ending date that haven't reached quorum? They just slip away down the thread queue, but in realty could eventually reach quorum, perhaps a few terms down the road.

Those polls would be valid (assuming that they hit the quorum number required in the term they were opened), and the outcome of them might be bad.

Therefore I think we should add a law that would define a maximum timeframe for an open poll to be valid. My thoughts are that the maximum time should be something like 14 days.

Discuss!

 

[naervod]

I agree that we need to set a time limit, although I was thinking more like 7 days.

 

[Plexus]

I agree with Naervod, 7 days seems good.

 

[Stuck_as_a_Mac]

I agree with this and I am glad to see that you are back. As discussed in the chatroom, I will now change my avitar to that of Opus the Penguin.
(anyone know where i can find a small opus?)

 

[eyrei]

If people remember to set a closing time for their polls, we wouldn't have to worry about this. If you do forget, let Shaitan or I know and we can set the closing time.

 

[Bill_in_PDX]

I think people have been leaving them at 0 hours because the most recent limiting factors have been reaching quorum.

 

[GenMarshall]

I agree with having a set max time limit .

 

[Veera Anlai]

I would agree that seven days after debate has died down, the poll should be invalid. If debate still continues after 7 days though, I think it would be best to let it continue.

 

[Chieftess]

We had stickies last demogame, which I think helped. (especially with active topics/polls)...

 

[FortyJ]

I actually believe that it should be no fewer than ten (10) days as the rules for absenteeism would require everyone to visit the forums well within that time period. Let's not be too hasty to restrict the time lest we risk having many polls that fail to reach quorum. Remember, if a poll reaches quorum before then, it closes automatically according to the current system.

Also, I'd suggest that we set the quorum number to the term in which the poll is posted and that this number must be included in the first post along with the time limits.

 

[Octavian X]

I'll admit, I was rather angry when some honors polls reached quorum after about a month open...

Perhaps a time limit should be set depending on the type of poll. For example, 7 days for an approval poll, 14 for a CoL change, and 21 for a full-blown Constitutional amendment.

 

[Octavian X]

Also, I'd suggest that we set the quorum number to the term in which the poll is posted and that this number must be included in the first post along with the time limits.

This is an excellent proposal, 40J.

 

[disorganizer]

*sigh*
it should be the PR-office job to determine old polls and have them being closed... but as nobody seems to work at that office...

 

[donsig]

I think polls should become obsolete when a tem ends. If the things hasn't reached quorum it'll have to be repolled in the new term.

 

[Cyc]

I think we should have made poll procedures about 6 months ago and put them in the COS. But that would probably be too much commitment for us.

 

[Shaitan]

I don't think term end is a good cutoff. That would sort of preclude starting a poll late in the term. Sticking the quorum requirement of the current term on the poll is a fine idea to me.

I like Octavian's idea of changing the max time according to the poll type. Take it in a different direction though. Make the max time dependent on the quorum type. For example, a quick poll requries a 1/3 quorum. A normal poll requires a majority (1/2+) quorum and a Constitution change requires a 2/3 quorum. Give them 7, 14 and 21 days respectively.

 

[Bill_in_PDX]

Originally posted by disorganizer
*sigh*
it should be the PR-office job to determine old polls and have them being closed... but as nobody seems to work at that office...

That is because no one is volunteering to fill the role that Cyc had. Would you like to volunteer to take that job?

In any case, I would be opposed to citizens in the PR office deciding when to close polls, and would much rather have the laws clearly define it.

 

[disorganizer]

that was not what i said... they would be requesting the close of polls which are obsolete. and we could then define that a poll is obsolete after 7 days anyways

 

[Bill_in_PDX]

Originally posted by disorganizer
that was not what i said... they would be requesting the close of polls which are obsolete. and we could then define that a poll is obsolete after 7 days anyways

I honestly don't see any difference between what I said and what you are saying now

If we define legally the poll closure times, then simply set up the poll for 7 days, or whatever it is. Mods can close it sooner if it reaches quorum.