diff --git a/core-developers/become-core-developer.rst b/core-developers/become-core-developer.rst
index 739792b48..70b7e25af 100644
--- a/core-developers/become-core-developer.rst
+++ b/core-developers/become-core-developer.rst
@@ -38,10 +38,12 @@ are granted through these steps:
 #. If the candidate receives at least two-thirds positive votes when the poll closes
    (as per :pep:`13`), the submitter `emails the steering council
    <mailto:steering-council@python.org>`_ with the candidate's email address
-   requesting that the council either accept or reject the proposed membership.
+   requesting that the council either accept or reject the proposed membership.  Technically, the
+   council may only `veto a positive vote <https://peps.python.org/pep-0013/#membership>`_.
 
-#. Assuming the steering council does not object, a member of the council or delegate
-   (approver) will email the candidate:
+#. Assuming the steering council does not veto the positive vote, a member of the council or its
+   delegate (approver, usually in practice a :ref:`Developer-in-Residence <current owners>`) will
+   email the candidate:
 
    - A request for account details as required by
      `🔒 python/voters <https://github.com/python/voters>`_.