Editing Bharatpedia:Polling is not a substitute for discussion (section)

====Not-votes====
{{policy shortcut|BP:!VOTE|BP:NOTVOTE}}

The words "vote" and "voting" have a variety of connotations, but they are commonly associated specifically with ballot-casting or majority voting. For that reason, the use of the words "vote" and "voting" might not be the best choice when describing Bharatpedia processes. While technically correct, such references may contribute to the misconception that we use a system of majority or supermajority rule. Different terminology (e.g. "seeking views", "polling" and "commenting") may be preferable.

[[BP:BHARATPEDIAN|Bharatpedians]] often use the expression "[[Bharatpedia:Glossary#!vote|'''!vote''']]" (read as "not-vote") as a reminder and affirmation that the writer's comments in a poll, and the comments by others, are '''not''' voting, but are just offering individual views in a [[Bharatpedia:Method for consensus building|consensus-building discussion]]. The "!" symbol is used in various fields as a symbol for [[logical negation]] and was [[Bharatpedia talk:Requests for adminship/Archive 59#Qualified opinions.|introduced in this way on English Bharatpedia in 2006]]. Unfortunately, some Bharatpedians are unaware of this convention and use "!vote" to refer to their actual votes, which can cause confusion.

It serves as a little reminder of the communal norm that ''it is "not the vote" that matters, but the reasoning behind the !vote that is important''. While we do often seem to "vote" on things, the conclusion is almost never reached by simply counting votes, as the strength of argument is also very important. A "vote" that doesn't seem to be based on a reasonable rationale may be completely ignored or receive little consideration, or may be escalated to wider attention if it appears to have been treated as a simple vote count. It is important therefore to also explain why you are voting the way you are.