# Proposal on Updating the Constitution: vote now closed - VOTE RESULTS **URL:** \ **Category:** News\ **Tags:** governance\ **Created:** [26 August 2026 14:39 UTC](https://datashield.discourse.group/t/proposal-on-updating-the-constitution-vote-now-closed-vote-results/1552 "2026-08-26T14:39:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SimonParker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@SimonParker](https://datashield.discourse.group/u/SimonParker)\ **Post date:** [26 August 2026 14:39 UTC](https://datashield.discourse.group/t/proposal-on-updating-the-constitution-vote-now-closed-vote-results/1552/1 "2026-08-26T14:39:54Z")
Dear all, As set out in [PROPOSAL: resolution to update the Constitution](https://datashield.discourse.group/t/proposal-resolution-to-update-the-constitution/1529), the Steering Committee has asked for _all_ Voting Members to express their view on whether or not the DataSHIELD Community should adopt the proposed changes to the constitution. I will be responsible for overseeing this vote as a non-voting member of the DataSHIELD Community. Please email me directly using [simon.parker@uni-heidelberg.de](mailto:simon.parker@uni-heidelberg.de) to state whether you are: 1. In favour of adopting the change (“Yes”) 2. Not in favour of adopting the change (“No”) I will present the results of the vote to the Steering Committee (of course without revealing how any individual person voted!). Please send me your vote by **17:00 CEST on Wednesday September 9th 2026**. **Only voting members** listed in the DataSHIELD wiki are eligible to vote. If you would like to become a voting member for future votes, please see the description of the process to do so in the DataSHIELD wiki. I look forward to receiving your votes. Kind regards, Simon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The proposed changes to the constitution are: **Section 5.5** This section currently states: ```auto "The Steering Committee provides overall leadership to the DataSHIELD Community and has day to day responsibility for the DataSHIELD Community." ``` **Section 5.5.7** This section currently states: ```auto "The Steering Committee will elect a Chair and Secretary from among their members." ``` # Proposed amendments: Section 5.5 - **APPEND** the following: ```auto "The Steering Committee will be quorate if greater than 50% of members are in attendance. Decisions will be made by consensus, but where this is not possible a simple majority of members present will suffice." ``` Section 5.5.7 - **APPEND** the following: ```auto "These roles are unique and may only be occupied by one person at a time. Each role will be confirmed on an annual basis, normally at the first meeting of each calendar year. Decisions will be made by consensus, but where this is not possible a simple majority of members present will suffice. In the event of a tie, the outgoing Chair shall provide a deciding vote." ``` ---
**Author:** ![SimonParker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@SimonParker](https://datashield.discourse.group/u/SimonParker)\ **Post date:** [12 September 2026 10:12 UTC](https://datashield.discourse.group/t/proposal-on-updating-the-constitution-vote-now-closed-vote-results/1552/2 "2026-09-12T10:12:13Z")
Thank you to all voting members who voted on this proposal. The voting period is now closed. The results are: Yes - **79%** No - 15% Abstain - 6% 17 out of 29 voting members voted therefore the vote can be considered quorate. An updated version of the constitution will be online soon. ---
**Author:** ![asm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@asm](https://datashield.discourse.group/u/asm)\ **Post date:** [18 September 2026 08:51 UTC](https://datashield.discourse.group/t/proposal-on-updating-the-constitution-vote-now-closed-vote-results/1552/3 "2026-09-18T08:51:37Z")
The updated version is now available on the [Constitution](https://wiki.datashield.org/en/about/constitution) page of the wiki.