vote pairing

Definition

An informal agreement between legislators to both abstain on a vote, allowing them to miss the vote without affecting the outcome. It's the honor system in a dishonorable system.

Example Usage

The two senators arranged vote pairing so both could attend funerals while ensuring neither side gained an advantage.

Origin

Parliamentary procedure dating to at least the 19th century in British and American legislatures.

Fun Fact

Vote pairing has become rare in modern polarized politics because neither party trusts the other to honor arrangements, especially on close votes where every vote counts.

Source: Parliamentary procedure terminology

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