Does the mayor in a town have veto power over ordinances?
No. The mayor’s duties and powers are specified in RCW 35.27.160 and this statute does not provide for a mayoral veto power. In the absence of specific statutory authorization the mayor cannot exercise this power. Therefore, the mayor in a town does not have a veto power over council ordinances, resolutions or motions. It is necessary for the mayor to sign municipal ordinances, but this is simply a ministerial action and there is no discretion in his or her exercise of this power. . • What is the result if three members of a five-member council vote on a procedural motion, with two voting for the motion and one abstaining? According to Robert’s Rules of Order, an abstention does not count as a vote, does not affect the voting result, and does not destroy the quorum. In this case, since a majority of the quorum voted in favor of the motion, it would pass. Where a certain number of votes is required for an action, an abstention, which does not count as a vote, may prevent the action from
