it's not ready to sign (even though there are actually pending sign
merge request, we will get back to those folks when we're ready).
-Please propose edits to the following document. My primary concern is to see it formatted (summary / bullet lists / bold-thesis-sentences… all those things that make it
-easier to skim and to process, that remove the wall-of-text feeling).
# Petition to the Open Source Initiative: Publish the Full 2025 Election Results
**We, the undersigned, petition the Open Source Initiative
(OSI) to release the complete, unaltered results of its 2025 Board of
Directors elections**. We believe OSI's mishandling of the election,
-specifically altering the rules and results after voting concluded, has damaged
-its credibility and requires immediate transparency.
+specifically altering the rules and results after voting concluded, has undermined
+its credibility and demands immediate transparency.
**OSI relies *entirely* on community deference and respect**
for its authority in promoting Open Source and the
consistent use of the term "Open Source."
-- Since 2012, OSI has relied on elections by individual and affiliate
+- Since 2012, OSI has relied on elections among individual and affiliate
members to draw in community and build a capable board.
-- Though advisory in strict legal terms, elections have been vital to
- OSI's community focus and standing.
-- Historically, OSI has worked toward following best practices and honored election results—until now.
+- Though advisory in strict legal terms, these elections have been
+ vital to OSI’s community focus and standing.
+- Historically, OSI elections have been percieved as trustworthy and OSI has honored election results—until now.
## What Went Wrong
- [Unmarked ballot](https://codeberg.org/OSI-Concerns/election-results-2025/src/branch/main/osi-2025-unmarked-ballot-example.png)
- [Filled-in ballot](https://codeberg.org/OSI-Concerns/election-results-2025/src/branch/main/osi-2025-marked-ballot-example.png)
-OpaVote allows results to be published directly
-to participants. Instead of using this built-in transparency feature,
-OSI downloaded the ballot data, removed three candidates, altered voting
-preference numbers for remaining candidates, and [published the altered
-voting results.](https://opensource.org/blog/announcing-the-new-directors-of-osi-board)
-
-**OSI offered no valid justification for altering the ballots.** Their
-explanation: *"Two were ineligible as they did not sign the current
-board agreement; one returned the signed agreement after the deadline
-passed."* However, the requirement for candidates to sign the board
-agreement was introduced **after voting had concluded**, but **before
-the results were announced.** Up until then, signing was only required
-**after* a candidate was elected. OSI stated plainly that the purpose of
-the new requirement was so they could alter election results before
-their publication if any candidates did not sign.
+OpaVote allows results to be published directly to participants. Instead
+of using this built-in transparency feature, OSI downloaded the ballot
+data, removed three candidates, altered the preference numbers for the
+remaining candidates, and [published the altered
+results](https://opensource.org/blog/announcing-the-new-directors-of-osi-board).
+
+**OSI provided no valid justification for altering the ballots.**
+Their explanation: *"Two were ineligible as they did not sign the
+current board agreement; one returned the signed agreement after the
+deadline passed."* However, the requirement to sign the board agreement
+was introduced **after voting had concluded**, but **before the results
+were announced**. Until then, signing was only required **after** a
+candidate was elected. An OSI representative stated that a purpose of the new
+requirement was to allow them to alter the election results before
+publication if any candidates failed to sign.
**Why didn't they sign?**
-* Bentley Hensel was unable to respond within the surprise 47 hour
+- Bentley Hensel was unable to respond within the surprise 47-hour
deadline.
-* Richard Fontana and Bradley Kuhn had publicly raised concerns about a
- clause in the agreement that restricted their speech potentially
- indefinitely. They sought clarification before signing and sent
- proposed amendments which OSI did not appear to have considered.
+- Richard Fontana and Bradley Kuhn had publicly raised concerns about a
+ clause in the agreement that could restrict their speech
+ indefinitely. They planned to seek clarification before signing. Confronted with a the new deadline, they proposed amendments,
+ which OSI does not appear to have considered.
[*LWN* covers many more details of the OSI election](https://lwn.net/SubscriberLink/1014603/ac0cfc0a74755501/)
and within its conclusion notes:
This petition does **not** endorse any particular candidates or policy positions, but
we acknowledge these serious concerns.
-OSI has the right to set expectations for OSI board members and to
-disqualify candidates who don't meet them. Likewise, candidates learn
-about the board during the election process and then an onboarding
-process and may decide the board is not a good fit at any point. But
-neither justifies tampering with election results.
+While OSI has the right to set expectations for board members and
+disqualify candidates who do not meet them, candidates also learn about
+the board during the election and onboarding process and may choose to
+withdraw. **None of this justifies tampering with election results.**
## Why This Matters
**Changing election rules mid-process and altering vote counts undermines the integrity of any election.**
-Results must be published transparently—regardless
-of whether a candidate withdraws, dies, or is disqualified for any
-reason. Once a candidate has been placed on the ballot, the only way to
-respect the voting electorate is to count and report the votes as
-marked. A trustworthy election cannot have rules changed during the
-election process.
+Results must be published transparently—regardless of whether a
+candidate withdraws, dies, or is disqualified for any reason. Once a
+candidate appears on the ballot, the only way to respect voters is to
+count and report the votes as cast. A trustworthy election cannot have
+its rules changed during the election process.
**By adding requirements *during* an election process and altering
votes, OSI has damaged its credibility.** Any tampering with elections
organization's reputation.
**Election results with candidates removed are not valid.**
-Voter behavior is shaped by the full candidate list. Removing candidates after voting distorts the outcome:
+Voter behavior depends on the full candidate list. Removing candidates
+after voting distorts the outcome:
-- Preference-based voting systems support different valid voting
- strategies beyond a one dimensional ranking.
-- Voters often give lower preferences much less consideration by
- strategically valuing their time based on estimated probably of outcomes.
-- A different candidate pool could have changed who ran and how people voted.
+- Preference-based voting systems support diverse voting strategies beyond
+ simple ranking.
+- Voters often give lower preferences less thought, allocating their
+ time based on estimating a sharply decreasing probability that each
+ lower preference will come into play.
+- A different candidate pool could have changed who ran and how people
+ voted.
## Resolution
-We are community members who care about OSI's mission and its standing
-in the world. We wish to see OSI thrive in good standing.
+We are community members who care about OSI's mission and want to see OSI governed with integrity.
**To restore its credibility, we call on OSI to:**
-- Release the unaltered election totals.
+- Release the unaltered election results.
- Acknowledge the harmful impact of this situation.
-- Credibly commit to working with the community on all steps necessary to repair lost trust.
+- Make a credible commitment to work with the community on all steps necessary to repair lost trust.
## Petition Details
-**The petition is open. Signatures are welcome.**
+**This petition is open. Signatures are welcome.**
- **How to sign**: Submit your signature via a merge request on [Codeberg](https://codeberg.org/OSI-Concerns/election-results-2025).
-- When signing: Indicate your relationship to OSI if applicable (Member, Former Director, etc.).
+- When signing: Indicate your relationship to OSI if applicable (e.g., Member, Former Director).
- For OSI affiliates:
- Affiliate Representatives should sign on behalf of their organization.
- - Employees/volunteers may sign separately in their individual capacity.
+ - Employees and volunteers may sign separately in an individual capacity.
Respectfully,
iankelling.org / git / election-results-2025 / commitdiff