OOXML Vote Tracker and Calculation Guide
Updated: (8:45 AM EDT 4/1): OOXML has been adopted
Updated: (1:45 OM EDT 3/31): Reuters has just reported that ISO will not announce the results of the OOXML vote until Wednesday April 2
Updated (3:30 PM EDT 3/29): Unless thus-far unannounced votes that were formerly "approve" or "abstain" switch to "disapprove," it appears that OOXML will be approved. See details in the cumulative "updates" section below
Like many I'm sure, I'm trying to keep track of the votes on OOXML as they become known. I've set up a spreadsheet where I'm recording votes as they become known, whether they are formal and confirmed, or coming to light from other sources, and therefore to a greater or lesser extent possibly not accurate, what the sources are, and any associated comments (mostly from Pamela's articles at Groklaw, the most recent of which is being updated with new votes as news comes in to her). You'll find the most information about specific country voting there, and at several of her prior blog posts, including this one, this one, this one, and this one.
For the benefit of those that want to get a quick look throughout the weekend, I'll post the running tally here of which votes have switched, what the net change has been, now many votes have come to light, and how many remain to be announced. It is likely that it will not be possible to know the final vote until all votes are in, due to the complicated, double test way in which the vote is counted, which is complicated by the fact that the final number of abstentions, and whether they move from "yes" or "no" votes, can decrease the number of votes that need to switch to "yes" votes. For that reason, I also include an explanation of how the omplicated two-part test for approval will be calculated.
You may also want to read my last blog entry, which discusses the impact (or non-impact) of a vote to approve OOXML, called The Future of ODF and OOXML.
I. Updates:
March 31
1. France moves from disapprove to abstain
2. Norway files protest with ISO relating to its own vote, asking that it be suspended pending an internal investigation (the suspended vote had previously changed from disapprove to approve)
March 30:
1. Australia and Malaysia stay as abstain (Malaysia position reported at Open Malaysia)
March 29:
1. I've now learned of several other sites that are tracking the results as well. They can be found at Open Malyasia and Command Line Warriors.
2. Canada stays in the "disapprove" column (private email)
3. The United Kingdom and Ireland have each now switched from "disapprove" to "approve" (private email)
4. New Zealand will maintain its "disapprove" vote; watch for a press release at www.standards.co.nz (private email)
March 30:
1. Confirmation of the New Zealand position per anticipated press release
2. France stays in the "disapprove" column (Open Malaysia, with this link)
3. Further confirmation of South Africa: (Open Malyasia, with this link)
II. Vote Tracker
Here is the current tally, as I have it. Please let me know of any updates, new votes, inaccuracies, etc., and I'll post them promptly.
III. How to Calculate the Final Vote
Step one: Count all P votes cast, and determine whether at least 50% of P members have voted
March 31
1. France moves from disapprove to abstain
2. Norway files protest with ISO relating to its own vote, asking that it be suspended pending an internal investigation (the suspended vote had previously changed from disapprove to approve)
March 30:
1. Australia and Malaysia stay as abstain (Malaysia position reported at Open Malaysia)
March 29:
1. I've now learned of several other sites that are tracking the results as well. They can be found at Open Malyasia and Command Line Warriors.
2. Canada stays in the "disapprove" column (private email)
3. The United Kingdom and Ireland have each now switched from "disapprove" to "approve" (private email)
4. New Zealand will maintain its "disapprove" vote; watch for a press release at www.standards.co.nz (private email)
March 30:
1. Confirmation of the New Zealand position per anticipated press release
2. France stays in the "disapprove" column (Open Malaysia, with this link)
3. Further confirmation of South Africa: (Open Malyasia, with this link)
II. Vote Tracker
Here is the current tally, as I have it. Please let me know of any updates, new votes, inaccuracies, etc., and I'll post them promptly.
A. Principal Countries
Gains:
No to Yes: Czech Republic, Denmark, Korea, United Kingdom, Ireland
Abstain to Yes: Finland,
No to Abstain: France
Losses:
Yes to No: Venezuela
Yes to Abstain: Kenya
Abstain to No: None so far
Limbo: Norway - Norway had switched from "Disapprove" to "Approve," but has now filed a formal request with ISO asking that its vote be temporarily suspended, pending completion of an investigation
Reported with no change: 11
Chile, Germany, India, Poland, South Africa, USA, Canada, New Zealand
Net Change: 4 (5, counting Norway) [Five more yes votes needed, subject to what happens with abstains]
Abstain: 1 net change
Unconfirmed: Trinidad and Tobago from Abstain to "approve" (see comment below from reader); Italy maintains abstention
C. Total Votes CountGains:
No to Yes: None so far
Abstain to Yes: None so far
No to Abstain: None so far
Losses:
Yes to No: Cuba (see note below)
Yes to Abstain: None so far
Abstain to No: None so far
Reported with no change: 10
Romania, Brazil
PJ reports that Cuba was originally recorded as an approval last summer; it has now voted to disapprove, and says that its original vote was to disapprove as well, and was inaccurately recorded
Last summer: 87
Currently reported: 23
III. How to Calculate the Final Vote
Step one: Count all P votes cast, and determine whether at least 50% of P members have voted
If yes, then proceed to next stepIf no, then the resolution fails
This step has already been satisfied under the vote last summer
Step two: Subtract all abstentions (in other words, throw them out)
Step two: Subtract all abstentions (in other words, throw them out)
This will stay in motion until we have the full, final vote
Step three: Determine whether 2/3's of the remaining P votes are to approve
If No, then the resolution failsIf yes, then go to step four
If there is no change in abstentions, a net change five "disapprove" votes must change to "approve"
Step four: Determine whether 25% or more of the total ("yes" plus "no") votes cast by P Members, O Members, and other members of ISO/IEC JTC1 are "No" votes
Step four: Determine whether 25% or more of the total ("yes" plus "no") votes cast by P Members, O Members, and other members of ISO/IEC JTC1 are "No" votes
If yes, then the resolution failsIf no, then the resolution passes
Note 1: As you can see, Principal member votes are far more important than Observer Member votes, since the votes of P members count under both tests, while O members count only under the second.
Note 2: Note also that an abstention is the next best thing to a vote to approve, since it avoids another vote in the no category, which can't exceed 25% of all votes cast.
Note 3: A total of 87 National Bodies registered votes of approve, disapprove, or abstain in the voting period that ended last September 2; of those, 41 were P Members, 29 were O members, and 17 neither.
Note 3: A total of 87 National Bodies registered votes of approve, disapprove, or abstain in the voting period that ended last September 2; of those, 41 were P Members, 29 were O members, and 17 neither.
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