> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.contributionism.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.contributionism.io/governance-and-accountability/voting-eligibility-and-voting-power.md). # Voting eligibility and voting power A governance system must identify who participates and how their participation affects decisions. Eligibility and voting weight should be designed separately. ## **Eligibility** Eligibility determines whether a person can participate in a particular decision. Possible grounds include active work, membership, recent purchasing activity, a financial claim affected by the decision, residence, recipient representation. Not every decision requires the same eligible group. Eligibility rules should be clear enough to avoid disputes immediately before important votes. ## **One eligible person, one vote** Equal voting gives each eligible person the same formal influence. It can help by being simple and by supporting equal membership standing, broad legitimacy and protection against any concentrations based on wealth. It does not imply identical contributions or identical compensation. The main design questions concern who qualifies and whether the same electorate is suitable for every decision. ## **Contribution-weighted voting** Contribution-weighted voting assigns influence according to a defined measure. That measure might reflect recent working time, recognised contribution value, unpaid exposure or another relevant contribution measure. This can recognise differences in participation, but it introduces valuation disputes and can concentrate authority. The organisation should consider whether the measure is relevant to the decision. A large financial contribution does not necessarily indicate expertise in workplace safety. High performance in one role does not necessarily establish competence in every strategic question. ## **Hybrid voting** Hybrid systems combine equal and weighted components. For example, half of a vote’s total weight might be distributed equally among eligible members and half according to a contribution measure. Any adopted formula should be understandable to participants and tested for concentration effects. ## **Stacked participation** An organisation may recognise several recent periods of participation. For example, a worker might receive one governance unit for each qualifying year within the most recent five years. This provides continuity without allowing voting weight to grow indefinitely. However, tenure is not identical to contribution value or decision-making competence. A stacked system recognises sustained participation. ## **Thresholds and caps** Possible safeguards might include maximum individual voting shares, minimum equal voting components, separate approvals by affected groups, limits on how many historical periods count and rules preventing artificial splitting of identities or contributions. These safeguards can reduce concentration but may also weaken the intended relationship between weight and contribution. Their purpose need to be explicit. ## **Updating the electorate** The organisation should define when eligibility and weights are calculated. A record date can establish the electorate for a particular decision. Without such a rule, last-minute changes in membership or contribution recording could alter the outcome opportunistically. ## **Absence and protected participation** Eligibility rules should address factors such as illness, disability, parental leave, temporary secondment and other agreed absences. Automatic loss of influence during every interruption may unfairly exclude people with a continuing relationship to the organisation. ## **Access to participation** Formal voting rights are insufficient if contributors cannot use them. Participants need relevant information, adequate notice, accessible formats, reasonable time to process information, protection against retaliation and a clear process for submitting questions and proposals.