Currently, a member of the Council is unable to vote on an issue when absent from the Council meeting at which the vote occurs. The Council found that this not only disenfranchises members from opportunities to vote, but also, disenfranchises the constituencies they represent.

In drafting the resolution, the GNSO considered carefully the way in which it operates today, and produced a report entitled, "Draft GNSO Council Request to the Board to enable full enfranchisement of the GNSO Council's voting responsibilities." The report examines closely how the Council typically deliberates prior to initiating a vote on policy matters, and concludes that allowing for absentee voting would enhance participation by enfranchising absent council members by providing a means for them to vote electronically.

The public is invited to submit comments until 23:59 UTC 21 May 2008, at http://www.icann.org/public_comment/#absentee-voting before final consideration by the Board.