diff --git a/.github/labeler-area.yml b/.github/labeler-area.yml
index 9afb49172af..0eab34eafb6 100644
--- a/.github/labeler-area.yml
+++ b/.github/labeler-area.yml
@@ -37,6 +37,16 @@ A-format:
           - "protos/**"
           - "docs/src/format/**"
 
+# Drives the format-spec vote gate (.github/workflows/format-vote-gate.yml):
+# any change to the proto definitions or the spec docs requires a PMC vote.
+# Scoped to *.proto (not e.g. protos/AGENTS.md) since only the IDL and spec are
+# the format. A PMC member waives a trivial edit with the `format-waived` label.
+format-change:
+  - changed-files:
+      - any-glob-to-any-file:
+          - "protos/**/*.proto"
+          - "docs/src/format/**"
+
 # Lockfiles are intentionally not excluded: a pure dependency bump gets both
 # A-python and A-deps. Over-labeling beats dropping the area signal on PRs that
 # touch python code alongside a lockfile.
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-scripts.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-scripts.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..5cd3d483786
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-scripts.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+name: CI scripts
+
+# Tests for helper scripts under ci/ that aren't covered by the language test
+# suites (e.g. the format-spec vote gate logic).
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main
+      - release/**
+  pull_request:
+    branches:
+      - main
+      - release/**
+    paths:
+      - ci/format_vote_gate.py
+      - ci/test_format_vote_gate.py
+      - .github/workflows/format-vote-gate.yml
+      - .github/workflows/ci-scripts.yml
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+jobs:
+  format-vote-gate:
+    name: Format vote gate unit tests
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@34e114876b0b11c390a56381ad16ebd13914f8d5 # v4
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@a26af69be951a213d495a4c3e4e4022e16d87065 # v5
+        with:
+          python-version: "3.12"
+      - name: Install pytest
+        run: pip install pytest
+      - name: Run tests
+        run: pytest ci/test_format_vote_gate.py
diff --git a/.github/workflows/format-vote-gate.yml b/.github/workflows/format-vote-gate.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e98840830ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/format-vote-gate.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+name: Format spec vote gate
+
+# Structurally enforces the PMC vote required for Lance format-specification
+# changes (see https://lance.org/community/voting/). The path labeler
+# (.github/labeler-area.yml) applies the `format-change` label to PRs that touch
+# the format spec (`protos/**/*.proto`, `docs/src/format/**`); this gate reads
+# that label and blocks merging until the PR has 3 binding +1 votes from PMC
+# members (PR approvals, excluding the author), has no outstanding veto (a PMC
+# "Request changes" review), and the 1-week voting period has elapsed.
+#
+# The gate publishes its verdict as the `format-spec-vote` commit status on the
+# PR head. To make it a merge blocker, an org admin must add `format-spec-vote`
+# as a required status check in the branch protection rules for `main` (and any
+# release branches). The status is posted on *every* PR — success immediately
+# for non-format PRs — so a required check is never left pending forever.
+#
+# A PMC member may waive a trivial edit (typo, wording, formatting) by applying
+# the `format-waived` label.
+#
+# Uses pull_request_target so the token can post statuses/comments on fork-based
+# PRs. It never checks out or executes PR code: it reads the trusted base
+# checkout (for the PMC roster and this script) and queries the API only.
+
+on:
+  pull_request_target:
+    types: [opened, reopened, synchronize, labeled, unlabeled]
+  pull_request_review:
+    types: [submitted, edited, dismissed]
+  schedule:
+    # Re-evaluate open format-change PRs so the voting-period clock is re-checked
+    # even when no PR event fires (e.g. the 1-week period elapses days after the
+    # third approval lands).
+    - cron: "0 */8 * * *"
+
+concurrency:
+  group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.event.pull_request.number || github.run_id }}
+  cancel-in-progress: true
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  pull-requests: write
+  issues: write
+  statuses: write
+
+jobs:
+  gate:
+    name: Evaluate format spec vote
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout base
+        uses: actions/checkout@34e114876b0b11c390a56381ad16ebd13914f8d5 # v4
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@a26af69be951a213d495a4c3e4e4022e16d87065 # v5
+        with:
+          python-version: "3.12"
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: pip install PyGithub PyYAML
+      - name: Evaluate vote
+        run: python ci/format_vote_gate.py
+        env:
+          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pr-title.yml b/.github/workflows/pr-title.yml
index a9d339e36ce..51c899f56a3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pr-title.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pr-title.yml
@@ -22,69 +22,6 @@ jobs:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
         with:
           fail_on_error: true
-  format-vote-reminder:
-    permissions:
-      pull-requests: write
-    name: Remind about format spec vote
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    # Comments on PRs that touch the Lance format specification (*.proto files
-    # and docs/src/format/**) to remind the author that substantive format
-    # changes require a PMC vote. Re-checks the full PR diff on every push, so a
-    # format change introduced by a later commit is still caught; a hidden
-    # marker keeps it to at most one comment.
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/github-script@f28e40c7f34bde8b3046d885e986cb6290c5673b # v7
-        with:
-          script: |
-            const { owner, repo } = context.repo;
-            const prNumber = context.payload.pull_request.number;
-            const MARKER = '<!-- format-change-vote-reminder -->';
-
-            // The Lance format specification is the proto definitions plus the
-            // spec docs. Changes to either require a PMC vote.
-            const isFormatFile = (path) =>
-              path.endsWith('.proto') || path.startsWith('docs/src/format/');
-
-            const files = await github.paginate(github.rest.pulls.listFiles, {
-              owner, repo, pull_number: prNumber, per_page: 100,
-            });
-            const formatFiles = files.map((f) => f.filename).filter(isFormatFile);
-            if (formatFiles.length === 0) {
-              core.info('No format specification files changed; nothing to do.');
-              return;
-            }
-
-            // Best effort to comment only once: skip if our marker is present.
-            const comments = await github.paginate(github.rest.issues.listComments, {
-              owner, repo, issue_number: prNumber, per_page: 100,
-            });
-            if (comments.some((c) => c.body && c.body.includes(MARKER))) {
-              core.info('Reminder already posted; skipping.');
-              return;
-            }
-
-            const body = [
-              MARKER,
-              '> [!IMPORTANT]',
-              '> **This PR touches the Lance format specification.**',
-              '>',
-              '> Substantive changes to the format specification — the `.proto` definitions',
-              '> and the spec docs under `docs/src/format/` — require a PMC vote before merge.',
-              '> Minor edits such as typo fixes, wording, or formatting are excluded; use your',
-              '> judgment.',
-              '>',
-              '> If this is a meaningful format change:',
-              '> - Start a vote following the [Lance community voting process](https://lance.org/community/voting/).',
-              '>   Format specification modifications need **3 binding +1 votes** (excluding the',
-              '>   proposer), held on GitHub Discussions, with a minimum voting period of **1 week**.',
-              '> - Once the vote passes, **link the completed vote in this PR**. It should not be',
-              '>   merged until the vote is linked.',
-            ].join('\n');
-
-            await github.rest.issues.createComment({
-              owner, repo, issue_number: prNumber, body,
-            });
-            core.info(`Posted format vote reminder (changed: ${formatFiles.join(', ')}).`);
   commitlint:
     permissions:
       pull-requests: write
diff --git a/ci/format_vote_gate.py b/ci/format_vote_gate.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..90f41b8490c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ci/format_vote_gate.py
@@ -0,0 +1,289 @@
+"""Format-specification vote gate (see `.github/workflows/format-vote-gate.yml`).
+
+Structurally enforces the PMC vote required for Lance format-specification
+changes (https://lance.org/community/voting/). The `format-change` label is
+applied by the path labeler (`.github/labeler-area.yml`); this script reads it
+and publishes the `format-spec-vote` commit status, which blocks merging until:
+
+  * 3 PMC members have approved the PR (excluding the author), counted only on
+    the head commit so new pushes invalidate stale approvals;
+  * no PMC member has an outstanding "Request changes" review (a veto); and
+  * the 1-week voting period (from when `format-change` was first applied) has
+    elapsed.
+
+A PMC member can waive a trivial edit by applying the `format-waived` label.
+Non-format PRs get a passing status immediately and are otherwise left alone.
+
+The vote-counting rules are pure functions (`tally_reviews`, `decide_verdict`)
+unit tested in `test_format_vote_gate.py`; `main` wires them to the GitHub API.
+"""
+
+import json
+import os
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+
+STATUS_CONTEXT = "format-spec-vote"
+FORMAT_LABEL = "format-change"
+WAIVED_LABEL = "format-waived"
+COMMENT_MARKER = "<!-- format-spec-vote-status -->"
+REQUIRED_APPROVALS = 3
+PERIOD_DAYS = 7
+VOTING_URL = "https://lance.org/community/voting/"
+
+# Review states that express a stance; COMMENTED/PENDING are ignored.
+_STANCE_STATES = ("APPROVED", "CHANGES_REQUESTED", "DISMISSED")
+
+
+def tally_reviews(reviews, head_sha, author, is_pmc):
+    """Tally PMC votes from a PR's reviews.
+
+    `reviews` is an ordered list of dicts with `login`, `state`, `commit_id`.
+    A member's stance is their most recent stance review. Approvals only count
+    on the head commit; earlier ones are stale. A "changes requested" review is
+    a veto regardless of commit. The PR author never counts.
+    """
+    latest = {}
+    for review in reviews:
+        login = review["login"]
+        if not login or not is_pmc(login) or login == author:
+            continue
+        if review["state"] not in _STANCE_STATES:
+            continue
+        latest[login.lower()] = review
+
+    approvals, stale_approvals, vetoes = [], [], []
+    for review in latest.values():
+        if review["state"] == "APPROVED":
+            target = approvals if review["commit_id"] == head_sha else stale_approvals
+            target.append(review["login"])
+        elif review["state"] == "CHANGES_REQUESTED":
+            vetoes.append(review["login"])
+    return approvals, stale_approvals, vetoes
+
+
+def decide_verdict(veto_count, approval_count, period_elapsed, required):
+    """Return the blocking condition (if any), in priority order."""
+    if veto_count > 0:
+        return "veto"
+    if approval_count < required:
+        return "insufficient"
+    if not period_elapsed:
+        return "waiting_period"
+    return "pass"
+
+
+def _fmt_list(logins):
+    return ", ".join(f"@{login}" for login in logins) if logins else "none"
+
+
+def _as_utc(dt):
+    return dt.replace(tzinfo=timezone.utc) if dt.tzinfo is None else dt
+
+
+def _build_comment(headline, approval_cell, vetoes, period_cell):
+    return "\n".join(
+        [
+            COMMENT_MARKER,
+            "> [!IMPORTANT]",
+            "> ## Format specification vote",
+            "",
+            "This PR modifies the Lance format specification, so it requires "
+            f"**{REQUIRED_APPROVALS} binding +1 votes from PMC members** "
+            "(excluding the proposer) and a minimum "
+            f"**{PERIOD_DAYS}-day** voting period before it can merge. "
+            "Vote by approving this PR (+1) or requesting changes (−1, a veto). "
+            f"See the [voting process]({VOTING_URL}).",
+            "",
+            f"**Status: {headline}**",
+            "",
+            "| | |",
+            "|---|---|",
+            f"| Approvals (this commit) | {approval_cell} |",
+            f"| Vetoes | {_fmt_list(vetoes)} |",
+            f"| Voting period | {period_cell} |",
+            "",
+            "<sub>Updated automatically by the format-spec vote gate. A PMC member "
+            f"may apply the `{WAIVED_LABEL}` label to waive the vote for a trivial "
+            "edit (typo, wording, formatting).</sub>",
+        ]
+    )
+
+
+def _load_pmc(workspace):
+    import yaml
+
+    roster_path = os.path.join(workspace, "docs", "src", "community", "pmc.yaml")
+    with open(roster_path) as handle:
+        roster = yaml.safe_load(handle)
+    return {member["handle"].lower() for member in roster["members"]}
+
+
+class Gate:
+    def __init__(self, repo, pmc, run_url):
+        self.repo = repo
+        self.pmc = pmc
+        self.run_url = run_url
+
+    def is_pmc(self, login):
+        return login is not None and login.lower() in self.pmc
+
+    def set_status(self, sha, state, description):
+        self.repo.get_commit(sha).create_status(
+            state=state,
+            context=STATUS_CONTEXT,
+            description=description[:140],
+            target_url=self.run_url,
+        )
+
+    def upsert_comment(self, issue, body):
+        for comment in issue.get_comments():
+            if COMMENT_MARKER in (comment.body or ""):
+                if comment.body != body:
+                    comment.edit(body)
+                return
+        issue.create_comment(body)
+
+    def label_facts(self, issue):
+        """When `format-change` was first applied, and whether a PMC waived."""
+        first_added = None
+        waived_by_pmc = False
+        for event in issue.get_events():
+            if event.event not in ("labeled", "unlabeled") or event.label is None:
+                continue
+            name = event.label.name
+            actor = event.actor.login if event.actor else None
+            if (
+                name == FORMAT_LABEL
+                and event.event == "labeled"
+                and first_added is None
+            ):
+                first_added = _as_utc(event.created_at)
+            elif (
+                name == WAIVED_LABEL and event.event == "labeled" and self.is_pmc(actor)
+            ):
+                waived_by_pmc = True
+        return first_added, waived_by_pmc
+
+    def evaluate(self, number):
+        pr = self.repo.get_pull(number)
+        if pr.state != "open":
+            print(f"PR #{number} is {pr.state}; skipping.")
+            return
+        head_sha = pr.head.sha
+        labels = {label.name for label in pr.labels}
+
+        # Non-format PRs get a passing status and are otherwise left alone.
+        if FORMAT_LABEL not in labels:
+            self.set_status(
+                head_sha, "success", "No format-spec change; vote not required."
+            )
+            print(f"PR #{number}: not a format change.")
+            return
+
+        issue = self.repo.get_issue(number)
+        first_added, waived = self.label_facts(issue)
+
+        if WAIVED_LABEL in labels and waived:
+            self.set_status(
+                head_sha, "success", "Format-spec vote waived by a PMC member."
+            )
+            print(f"PR #{number}: vote waived.")
+            return
+
+        reviews = [
+            {
+                "login": review.user.login if review.user else None,
+                "state": review.state,
+                "commit_id": review.commit_id,
+            }
+            for review in pr.get_reviews()
+        ]
+        approvals, stale, vetoes = tally_reviews(
+            reviews, head_sha, pr.user.login, self.is_pmc
+        )
+
+        now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+        vote_start = first_added or now
+        period_ends = vote_start + timedelta(days=PERIOD_DAYS)
+        period_elapsed = now >= period_ends
+        verdict = decide_verdict(
+            len(vetoes), len(approvals), period_elapsed, REQUIRED_APPROVALS
+        )
+
+        end_date = period_ends.date().isoformat()
+        if verdict == "veto":
+            state, summary = "failure", f"Vetoed by {len(vetoes)} PMC member(s)."
+            headline = f"❌ Blocked — vetoed by {_fmt_list(vetoes)}"
+        elif verdict == "insufficient":
+            state = "failure"
+            summary = (
+                f"{len(approvals)}/{REQUIRED_APPROVALS} PMC approvals on this commit."
+            )
+            headline = f"❌ Blocked — {len(approvals)} of {REQUIRED_APPROVALS} required approvals"
+        elif verdict == "waiting_period":
+            state, summary = "failure", f"Approved; voting period ends {end_date}."
+            headline = (
+                f"⏳ Approvals met ({len(approvals)}/{REQUIRED_APPROVALS}); "
+                f"voting period ends {end_date}"
+            )
+        else:
+            state = "success"
+            summary = f"Passed — {len(approvals)} PMC approvals, period elapsed."
+            headline = f"✅ Vote passed — {len(approvals)} PMC approvals, voting period elapsed"
+
+        days_left = max(0, -(-(period_ends - now).days))  # ceil of day difference
+        period_cell = (
+            f"elapsed (ended {end_date})"
+            if period_elapsed
+            else f"ends {end_date} ({days_left} day(s) left)"
+        )
+        approval_cell = (
+            f"{_fmt_list(approvals)} ({len(approvals)}/{REQUIRED_APPROVALS})"
+        )
+        if stale:
+            approval_cell += f" — stale, re-approve needed: {_fmt_list(stale)}"
+
+        self.set_status(head_sha, state, summary)
+        self.upsert_comment(
+            issue, _build_comment(headline, approval_cell, vetoes, period_cell)
+        )
+        print(f"PR #{number}: {summary}")
+
+
+def main():
+    from github import Github
+
+    workspace = os.environ["GITHUB_WORKSPACE"]
+    token = os.environ["GITHUB_TOKEN"]
+    repo_name = os.environ["GITHUB_REPOSITORY"]
+    event_name = os.environ["GITHUB_EVENT_NAME"]
+    run_url = (
+        f"{os.environ['GITHUB_SERVER_URL']}/{repo_name}/actions/runs/"
+        f"{os.environ['GITHUB_RUN_ID']}"
+    )
+
+    repo = Github(token).get_repo(repo_name)
+    gate = Gate(repo, _load_pmc(workspace), run_url)
+
+    if event_name == "schedule":
+        # The schedule trigger has no PR context, so sweep every open
+        # format-change PR to re-check the voting-period clock.
+        pulls = [
+            pr
+            for pr in repo.get_pulls(state="open")
+            if any(label.name == FORMAT_LABEL for label in pr.labels)
+        ]
+        print(f"Scheduled sweep: {len(pulls)} open {FORMAT_LABEL} PR(s).")
+        for pr in pulls:
+            try:
+                gate.evaluate(pr.number)
+            except Exception as err:  # noqa: BLE001 - keep sweeping other PRs
+                print(f"PR #{pr.number}: {err}")
+    else:
+        with open(os.environ["GITHUB_EVENT_PATH"]) as handle:
+            event = json.load(handle)
+        gate.evaluate(event["pull_request"]["number"])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/ci/test_format_vote_gate.py b/ci/test_format_vote_gate.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4b1b96ece53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ci/test_format_vote_gate.py
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+"""Unit tests for the format-spec vote gate logic.
+
+Run with: pytest ci/test_format_vote_gate.py
+"""
+
+import pytest
+
+from format_vote_gate import decide_verdict, tally_reviews
+
+HEAD = "sha_head"
+PMC = {"alice", "bob", "carol", "dave"}
+
+
+def is_pmc(login):
+    return login is not None and login.lower() in PMC
+
+
+def review(login, state, commit_id=HEAD):
+    return {"login": login, "state": state, "commit_id": commit_id}
+
+
+def test_counts_distinct_pmc_approvals_on_head_commit():
+    approvals, stale, vetoes = tally_reviews(
+        [
+            review("alice", "APPROVED"),
+            review("bob", "APPROVED"),
+            review("carol", "APPROVED"),
+        ],
+        HEAD,
+        "author",
+        is_pmc,
+    )
+    assert sorted(approvals) == ["alice", "bob", "carol"]
+    assert stale == []
+    assert vetoes == []
+
+
+def test_only_latest_review_per_member_counts():
+    # Alice approved, then later requested changes -> she is a veto, not approval.
+    approvals, _, vetoes = tally_reviews(
+        [review("alice", "APPROVED"), review("alice", "CHANGES_REQUESTED")],
+        HEAD,
+        "author",
+        is_pmc,
+    )
+    assert approvals == []
+    assert vetoes == ["alice"]
+
+
+def test_approvals_on_earlier_commit_are_stale():
+    approvals, stale, _ = tally_reviews(
+        [review("alice", "APPROVED", "old_sha"), review("bob", "APPROVED")],
+        HEAD,
+        "author",
+        is_pmc,
+    )
+    assert approvals == ["bob"]
+    assert stale == ["alice"]
+
+
+def test_ignores_author_non_pmc_and_dismissed():
+    approvals, _, vetoes = tally_reviews(
+        [
+            review("author", "APPROVED"),  # PR author, even if PMC, never counts
+            review("eve", "APPROVED"),  # not on the PMC
+            review("dave", "DISMISSED"),  # withdrawn
+            review("carol", "COMMENTED"),  # a comment is not a vote
+        ],
+        HEAD,
+        "author",
+        is_pmc,
+    )
+    assert approvals == []
+    assert vetoes == []
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    ("veto_count", "approval_count", "period_elapsed", "expected"),
+    [
+        (1, 5, True, "veto"),  # veto wins even with enough approvals + elapsed
+        (0, 2, True, "insufficient"),
+        (0, 3, False, "waiting_period"),
+        (0, 3, True, "pass"),
+    ],
+)
+def test_decide_verdict_priority(veto_count, approval_count, period_elapsed, expected):
+    assert decide_verdict(veto_count, approval_count, period_elapsed, 3) == expected
diff --git a/docs/hooks/pmc_roster.py b/docs/hooks/pmc_roster.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3a56daa2b5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/hooks/pmc_roster.py
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+"""MkDocs hook: render the PMC roster table from `pmc.yaml` at build time.
+
+`docs/src/community/pmc.yaml` is the source of truth for the PMC roster (it also
+drives the format-spec vote gate). The roster page contains the placeholder
+`<!-- PMC_ROSTER_TABLE -->`; this hook expands it into a Markdown table when the
+docs are built, so the table never has to be maintained by hand.
+
+Registered via `hooks:` in `mkdocs.yml`.
+"""
+
+import pathlib
+
+import yaml
+
+PLACEHOLDER = "<!-- PMC_ROSTER_TABLE -->"
+
+COLUMNS = [
+    ("Name", "name"),
+    ("GitHub Handle", "handle"),
+    ("Affiliation", "affiliation"),
+    ("Ecosystem Roles", "ecosystem_roles"),
+]
+
+
+def _render_table(members):
+    headers = [title for title, _ in COLUMNS]
+    rows = [[str(m.get(key, "") or "") for _, key in COLUMNS] for m in members]
+    widths = [
+        max([len(headers[i])] + [len(row[i]) for row in rows])
+        for i in range(len(COLUMNS))
+    ]
+
+    def row(cells):
+        return "| " + " | ".join(c.ljust(widths[i]) for i, c in enumerate(cells)) + " |"
+
+    lines = [row(headers), "|" + "|".join("-" * (w + 2) for w in widths) + "|"]
+    lines.extend(row(r) for r in rows)
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+def on_page_markdown(markdown, page, config, files):
+    if PLACEHOLDER not in markdown:
+        return markdown
+    roster_path = pathlib.Path(config["docs_dir"]) / "community" / "pmc.yaml"
+    roster = yaml.safe_load(roster_path.read_text())
+    return markdown.replace(PLACEHOLDER, _render_table(roster["members"]))
diff --git a/docs/mkdocs.yml b/docs/mkdocs.yml
index 8144a42e5f5..ff7db4c3ab2 100644
--- a/docs/mkdocs.yml
+++ b/docs/mkdocs.yml
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@ plugins:
   - mkdocs_protobuf:
       proto_dir: ../protos
 
+hooks:
+  - hooks/pmc_roster.py
+
 extra:
   generator: false
   social:
diff --git a/docs/src/community/pmc.md b/docs/src/community/pmc.md
index 3d9daeaebff..5088e45d6ae 100644
--- a/docs/src/community/pmc.md
+++ b/docs/src/community/pmc.md
@@ -27,27 +27,9 @@ In addition to the [activities of maintainers](./maintainers.md#activities), PMC
 
 ## Roster
 
-| Name            | GitHub Handle   | Affiliation  | Ecosystem Roles                                                                                               |
-|-----------------|-----------------|--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
-| Yang Cen        | BubbleCal       | LanceDB      | Milvus Contributor                                                                                            |
-| Pablo Delgado   | pablete         | Netflix      |                                                                                                               |
-| Hao Ding        | Xuanwo          | LanceDB      | Apache OpenDAL PMC Chair, Apache Iceberg Committer, Apache Member and [more](https://xuanwo.io/about/)        |
-| Zhaowei Huang   | SaintBacchus    | Alibaba      | Apache Doris Committer                                                                                        |
-| Will Jones      | wjones127       | LanceDB      | Apache Arrow PMC Member, Apache DataFusion PMC Member, Delta Lake Maintainer                                  |
-| Matt Kafonek    | kafonek         | Runway AI    |                                                                                                               |
-| Denny Lee       | dennyglee       | Databricks   | Unity Catalog Maintainer, Delta Lake Maintainer, Apache Spark Contributor, MLflow Contributor                 |
-| Rob Meng        | chebbyChefNEQ   | Jump Trading |                                                                                                               |
-| Dao Mi          | dowjones226     | Netflix      |                                                                                                               |
-| Weston Pace     | westonpace      | LanceDB      | Apache Arrow PMC Member, Substrait SMC Member                                                                 |
-| Calvin Qi       | calvinqi        | Harvey.ai    |                                                                                                               |
-| Prashanth Rao   | prrao87         | LanceDB      |                                                                                                               |
-| Ethan Rosenthal | EthanRosenthal  | Runway AI    |                                                                                                               |                                                 |
-| Tim Saucer      | timsaucer       | Rerun.io     | Apache DataFusion PMC Member                                                                                  |
-| Chang She       | changhiskhan    | LanceDB      | Pandas Co-Author                                                                                              |
-| Jasmine Wang    | onigiriisabunny | LanceDB      | Alluxio PMC Community Manager                                                                                 |
-| Lei Xu          | eddyxu          | LanceDB      | Apache Hadoop PMC Member                                                                                      |
-| Vino Yang       | yanghua         | Bytedance    | Apache Hudi PMC Member, Apache Kyuubi PMC Member, Apache Kylin Committer, Apache Incubation Program Committer |
-| Jack Ye         | jackye1995      | LanceDB      | Apache Iceberg PMC Member, Apache Polaris (incubating) PPMC Member, Apache Incubation Program Committer       |
+<!-- The roster table is generated at build time from `pmc.yaml` by the
+     `hooks/pmc_roster.py` MkDocs hook. Edit `pmc.yaml`, not this placeholder. -->
+<!-- PMC_ROSTER_TABLE -->
 
 ## Becoming a PMC Member
 
diff --git a/docs/src/community/pmc.yaml b/docs/src/community/pmc.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..34819652c00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/src/community/pmc.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+# Source of truth for the Project Management Committee (PMC) roster.
+#
+# This file drives two things, so keep it accurate:
+#   1. The roster table in `pmc.md`, rendered at docs build time by the
+#      `docs/hooks/pmc_roster.py` MkDocs hook.
+#   2. The format-specification vote gate, which only counts PR approvals from
+#      the `handle`s listed here (see `.github/workflows/format-vote-gate.yml`).
+#
+# Adding or removing a member is itself a PMC vote (roster change). After the
+# vote passes, edit this file; the docs table updates automatically.
+#
+# `handle` must match the member's GitHub login exactly (case-insensitive when
+# matched). `ecosystem_roles` is free-form markdown and may be empty.
+members:
+  - name: Yang Cen
+    handle: BubbleCal
+    affiliation: LanceDB
+    ecosystem_roles: Milvus Contributor
+  - name: Pablo Delgado
+    handle: pablete
+    affiliation: Netflix
+    ecosystem_roles: ""
+  - name: Hao Ding
+    handle: Xuanwo
+    affiliation: LanceDB
+    ecosystem_roles: Apache OpenDAL PMC Chair, Apache Iceberg Committer, Apache Member and [more](https://xuanwo.io/about/)
+  - name: Zhaowei Huang
+    handle: SaintBacchus
+    affiliation: Alibaba
+    ecosystem_roles: Apache Doris Committer
+  - name: Will Jones
+    handle: wjones127
+    affiliation: LanceDB
+    ecosystem_roles: Apache Arrow PMC Member, Apache DataFusion PMC Member, Delta Lake Maintainer
+  - name: Matt Kafonek
+    handle: kafonek
+    affiliation: Runway AI
+    ecosystem_roles: ""
+  - name: Denny Lee
+    handle: dennyglee
+    affiliation: Databricks
+    ecosystem_roles: Unity Catalog Maintainer, Delta Lake Maintainer, Apache Spark Contributor, MLflow Contributor
+  - name: Rob Meng
+    handle: chebbyChefNEQ
+    affiliation: Jump Trading
+    ecosystem_roles: ""
+  - name: Dao Mi
+    handle: dowjones226
+    affiliation: Netflix
+    ecosystem_roles: ""
+  - name: Weston Pace
+    handle: westonpace
+    affiliation: LanceDB
+    ecosystem_roles: Apache Arrow PMC Member, Substrait SMC Member
+  - name: Calvin Qi
+    handle: calvinqi
+    affiliation: Harvey.ai
+    ecosystem_roles: ""
+  - name: Prashanth Rao
+    handle: prrao87
+    affiliation: LanceDB
+    ecosystem_roles: ""
+  - name: Ethan Rosenthal
+    handle: EthanRosenthal
+    affiliation: Runway AI
+    ecosystem_roles: ""
+  - name: Tim Saucer
+    handle: timsaucer
+    affiliation: Rerun.io
+    ecosystem_roles: Apache DataFusion PMC Member
+  - name: Chang She
+    handle: changhiskhan
+    affiliation: LanceDB
+    ecosystem_roles: Pandas Co-Author
+  - name: Jasmine Wang
+    handle: onigiriisabunny
+    affiliation: LanceDB
+    ecosystem_roles: Alluxio PMC Community Manager
+  - name: Lei Xu
+    handle: eddyxu
+    affiliation: LanceDB
+    ecosystem_roles: Apache Hadoop PMC Member
+  - name: Vino Yang
+    handle: yanghua
+    affiliation: Bytedance
+    ecosystem_roles: Apache Hudi PMC Member, Apache Kyuubi PMC Member, Apache Kylin Committer, Apache Incubation Program Committer
+  - name: Jack Ye
+    handle: jackye1995
+    affiliation: LanceDB
+    ecosystem_roles: Apache Iceberg PMC Member, Apache Polaris (incubating) PPMC Member, Apache Incubation Program Committer
diff --git a/docs/src/community/voting.md b/docs/src/community/voting.md
index 8c5ac341e67..875a3029270 100644
--- a/docs/src/community/voting.md
+++ b/docs/src/community/voting.md
@@ -47,7 +47,37 @@ A **-1** binding vote is considered a veto for all decision types. Vetoes:
 | Release a new stable major version of the core project                            | 3                                            | PMC                            | GitHub Discussions                    | 3 days         |
 | Release a new stable minor version of the core project                            | 3                                            | PMC                            | GitHub Discussions                    | 3 days         |
 | Release a new stable patch version of the core project                            | 3                                            | PMC                            | GitHub Discussions                    | N/A            |
-| Lance Format Specification modifications                                      | 3 (excluding proposer)                       | PMC                            | GitHub Discussions (with a GitHub PR) | 1 week         |
+| Lance Format Specification modifications                                      | 3 (excluding proposer)                       | PMC                            | GitHub PR (see [below](#lance-format-specification-vote-gate)) | 1 week         |
 | Code modifications in the core project (except changes to format specifications)  | 1 (excluding proposer)                       | Maintainers with write access  | GitHub PR                             | N/A            |
 | Release a new stable version of subprojects                                   | 1                                            | PMC                            | GitHub Discussions                    | N/A            |
 | Code modifications in subprojects                                             | 1 (excluding proposer)                       | Contributors with write access | GitHub PR                             | N/A            |
+
+## Lance Format Specification Vote Gate
+
+Votes on Lance format-specification changes are cast and counted directly on the
+pull request, and the requirement is enforced structurally in CI rather than by
+convention.
+
+A PR is considered a format-specification change when it modifies the protobuf
+definitions (`protos/**/*.proto`) or the spec documentation (`docs/src/format/**`);
+such PRs are labelled `format-change` automatically. The
+[format spec vote gate](https://github.com/lance-format/lance/blob/main/.github/workflows/format-vote-gate.yml)
+blocks merging a `format-change` PR until all of the following hold:
+
+- **Three binding +1 votes.** Three PMC members have approved the PR, excluding
+  the proposer. Cast +1 by approving the PR. Only approvals on the latest commit
+  count — pushing new commits invalidates earlier approvals, since the proposal
+  has changed.
+- **No veto.** No PMC member has an outstanding "Request changes" review. A `-1`
+  binding vote (cast by requesting changes) is a veto and blocks the merge until
+  withdrawn.
+- **Minimum voting period.** At least one week has elapsed since the PR was
+  flagged as a format change.
+
+The gate is the `format-spec-vote` required status check on protected branches.
+The PMC roster used to count votes is read from
+[`docs/src/community/pmc.yaml`](./pmc.md).
+
+For a trivial edit that does not change the format — a typo, wording, or
+formatting fix — a PMC member may apply the `format-waived` label to waive the
+vote.