Yes, I agree there should be a mechanism in place that allows voters to spoil their ballot paper, should they wish to do so. The number of spoiled ballots should be recorded.

I would consider it improper for anyone, be they ICANN staff or a member of our community, to contact a voter about the contents of their ballot paper and to insinuate that they may have voted in an improper manner. If indeed it is possible to determine the number of 'invalid' ballot papers before the election is over, and who has cast a vote in such a manner, I am surprised this is the case.

- Ayden




-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: *Important* NCSG 2016 Annual Elections - Voting rules
Local Time: August 24, 2016 8:38 PM
UTC Time: August 24, 2016 7:38 PM
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]

On Wed, 24 Aug 2016, Tapani Tarvainen wrote:

> Hi Sam,
>
> The entire ballot would be invalid.
>
> It was rather strongly argued that people should have a way
> of invalidating their ballot if they want to, and this remains
> the way to do it.
>
> --
> Tapani Tarvainen

hi Tapani,

could it be shared with the membership the rather strong argument mentioned
above?

should not this mechanism be explained in the voting instructions as well
as the other voting options?

if one takes this option and invalidates the ballot, will this be recorded
in the election results?

thanks for reaching a compromise, although i cannot agree with Milton's
assertion that this satisfies everyone.

-ron