A practical decision rule

1. Prefer the day with the most Yes votes
2. If tied, pick the one with more Maybe (or fewer No)
3. If still tied, choose the earliest date that works for the key attendees

What to do with “Maybe”

“Maybe” often means “I can make it if needed.” Treat it as flexibility, not a promise.

If a key person can’t make the top day

Pick the best alternative and write down the trade-off (“we prioritized attendance of X and Y”).

Avoid the biggest trap

Don’t wait for a “perfect day” that never appears. Pick the best option, announce it, and move on.

Handle pending voters

If a few people haven’t voted, decide anyway when the deadline hits. You can still share the final date and ask for exceptions.

Announcement you can copy

“We picked DATE (most Yes votes). If you can’t make it, reply here and we’ll adjust if needed.”

Want to compare approaches? See: Doodle vs date polls • Create a vote