Actually, the rule isn't defined anywhere. IIRC, before I was president, there were very few rules around voting, except that only the president could call for a vote. Whether or not it was done, or how long it was open was dependent on the presidents travel schedule.

During my presidency, I think we tried a few iterations, of "motion seconded, then discussion period, then vote".

Then I believe it evolved, to "discuss a topic as long as you'd like.. but, once a motion is made and seconded, the vote opens for 2 weeks, and you can continue discussion if you wish, or just vote now." The polling feature was very helpful for this. It was never "formalized" as a policy, but no one (at least not during my term) felt the need to change it..so it stayed.

Deciding on 2 weeks was really a matter of "1 week isn't long enough, and 3 weeks is too long". Like I said earlier, it was more of a "lets try this for a while and see how it works for everyone."

Dov is slightly incorrect. The polls are timed automatically to stay open for 2 weeks. So technically they stay open regardless of how many votes have been cast. However, because missing votes altogether is grounds for removal, and voting records are public, even if a motion is sure to pass or fail before the voting period ends, results are not posted unless every member has voted, so they aren't considered a missed vote... unless they miss the 2 week window altogether. Members travel (ya think?), members want to think about things, or discuss motions further, or get busy at the office...so that gives them ample time to get their vote cast.

As for the feet dragging... the 2 week voting period is an established procedure, and has been for 3ish years now...even if its never been formalized. As long as a TB member casts their vote in that time frame, they shouldn't be pressured to do so any more quickly than they feel comfortable.