Problem:
An assembly should never go directly from a voice vote to a counted vote. The correct procedure is, in the case of votes requiring a majority, to first take a voice vote, then a rising vote if the voice vote is inconclusive, then a counted vote if the rising vote is inconclusive. In the case of a vote requiring 2/3, the Chair should start with a rising vote unless there is an expectation of near unanimity.Solution:
Take a counted vote only after a rising vote.Note:
See RONR pp. 44-5 and 48-50.RULE 3: VOTING PROCEDURE AND MOTIONS
1. On all matters, except the retention of platform planks, the election of Party Officers and at-large members of the National Committee, and the nomination of Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, voting will be by voice vote. If 20 or more delegates object to the Chair's ruling on the outcome of a
voice rising vote, a counted vote will be held.
4 comments:
In retrospect, it doesn't make sense.
The way this change is worded, only a rising vote can be challenged by a division call, and not a voice vote.
No, Mudslinger (whomever you are), a voice vote can be challenged and retaken as an uncounted rising vote upon the demand of a single member. Ordinarily, under RONR, it requires a majority vote to demand that an uncounted rising vote be retaken as a counted rising vote. If this proposal passes, then the threshold to challenge the result of an uncounted rising vote would be 20 delegates rather than a majority of delegates.
Stuff RONR, M, you would marry that book if you could. READ WHAT THE PROPOSAL says instead of what you want it to say.
The division call applies only to rising votes only.
If you want the division call to apply to voice votes as well, which would make sense, then it would say "a voice OR a rising vote."
Furthermore, the terms are inconsistent. In on sentence it refers to a "voice vote" and the next a "voice rising vote" and then a "Counted vote". Once again, terms are not properly defined.
Of course, this is what happens when too many parliamentarians try to replace Common Sense with Roberts Rules...
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