From 83e310f06853259e558aa8d0c6f15008ec843884 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Ian Kelling Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2025 01:33:01 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] improve clarity --- petition.md | 80 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++--------------------------- 1 file changed, 40 insertions(+), 40 deletions(-) diff --git a/petition.md b/petition.md index 45c1e4b..73d2250 100644 --- a/petition.md +++ b/petition.md @@ -43,42 +43,41 @@ 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 had no valid justification for altering the ballot data.** But we -must examine it. In OSI's own words: "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 if and when a candidate was appointed to the -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. **Why didn't they sign?** -* Benley Hensel was unable to respond within the surprise 47 hour +* Bentley Hensel was unable to respond within the surprise 47 hour deadline. -* Richard Fontanta and Bradley Kuhn had publicly raised concerns about a - clause in the agreement that restricted their speech, even after their - board service ended and they sought clarification before signing. - - [*LWN* OSI election -coverage](https://lwn.net/SubscriberLink/1014603/ac0cfc0a74755501/) went -into much more in depth and based on many details not covered here, it noted -that "A cynical person might conclude that the last-minute requirement -to sign the agreement was to disqualify one or both because they would -have won otherwise; and that the OSI leadership was unwilling to have -even a minority number of board members who might seek to steer the ship -in a different direction." - -This petition does not endorse any particular candidates or policy positions, but +* 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. + + [*LWN* covers many more details of the OSI election](https://lwn.net/SubscriberLink/1014603/ac0cfc0a74755501/) +and within its conclusion notes: +> "A cynical person might conclude that the last-minute requirement +> to sign the agreement was to disqualify one or both because they would +> have won otherwise; and that the OSI leadership was unwilling to have +> even a minority number of board members who might seek to steer the ship +> in a different direction." + +This petition does **not** endorse any particular candidates or policy positions, but we acknowledge these serious concerns. -OSI admitted the new requirement was meant to prevent Fontana and Kuhn -from advancing further without signing the agreement as is. OSI has the -right to set expectations for board members, and there are a wide -variety of reasons why OSI might decide that a candidate is not a good -fit for the board. Conversely, a candidate learns a lot about the board -as they go, including after joining the board and there are many reasons -they might decide that the board is not a good fit for them. +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. ## Why This Matters @@ -99,9 +98,11 @@ 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: -- Voters often devalue lower preferences based on strategic calculations. -- Preference-based voting systems support different valid voting strategies. -- A different candidate pool might have changed who ran or how people voted. +- 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. ## Resolution @@ -112,18 +113,17 @@ in the world. We wish to see OSI thrive in good standing. - Release the unaltered election totals. - Acknowledge the harmful impact of this situation. -- Credibly recommit to working with the community on all steps necessary to repair lost trust. +- Credibly commit to working with the community on all steps necessary to repair lost trust. ## Petition Details **The 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, please**: - - Indicate your relationship to OSI if applicable (Member, Former Director, etc.) -- **For OSI affiliates**: - - Affiliate Representatives should sign on behalf of their organization - - Employees/volunteers may also sign separately in their individual capacity +- **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.). +- For OSI affiliates: + - Affiliate Representatives should sign on behalf of their organization. + - Employees/volunteers may sign separately in their individual capacity. Respectfully, -- 2.30.2