Moving a question and debating its merits is excellent, but to make it official, you must vote on it! A basic precedent of voting is that each member has one vote on each question, regardless of what office they hold or if they represent multiple groups at a meeting or convention. The individual right to vote cannot be transferred to another person by use of proxy unless specified in an organization’s bylaws, and can only be taken away by the bylaws in a situation where a member is under disciplinary suspension or has been dropped from the membership rolls. Also, changing a vote is OK until the results are announced, at which point unanimous consent without debate is required to change a vote.

Each member has the right to abstain (not cast any vote) from voting on a question. A member shouldn’t vote if it would benefit them and no one else, such as in the case of moving to do business with a company the member is an officer of. However, a member should vote for himself in an office or with others on a vote. Business would never work if no one ever voted on something that would affect him or her. There are several methods of voting on motions including: voice (viva voce), rising, and a show of hands. Voice vote is the most common method of voting on a motion. Rising vote is typically used for verifying inconclusive voice votes or for motions requiring a two-thirds vote. A show of hands vote is an alternate method for very small assemblies if no member objects. Methods for taking each kind of vote can be found in Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised 11th ed., p. 44–54. Whatever the voting method, the chair should first call for affirmative votes, then for the negative votes.

VOTING PROCEDURES B

VOTING METHODS B

BY ADAM HAND, NORTH CENTRAL REGION PARLIAMENTARIAN