Greater than 2/3 vote

[Guest David Greenlee]

If an organizations by laws do not spell out rules for voting with regards to extraorindary considerations can they requie more than a 2/3 vote (say they want it to be 3/4)? Would that give an overweighted power to the minority? Or As long as the motion was amended requiring a higher vote it would be okay?

[hmtcastle]

If an organizations by laws do not spell out rules for voting with regards to extraorindary considerations can they requie more than a 2/3 vote (say they want it to be 3/4)? Would that give an overweighted power to the minority? Or As long as the motion was amended requiring a higher vote it would be okay?

You could adopt a motion that includes a provision by which the action authorized would only occur if the motion were adopted by, say, a three-fourths vote. A majority vote would still adopt the motion but, without the greater vote, nothing would happen.

This question does come up from time to time and, if I recall correctly, that's about the simplest (?) way to go.

Other than that, there are rules which determine whether a majority vote or a two-thirds vote is required.

[Gary Novosielski]

And of course if a majority did not want such a high vote threshold, they have the power to amend the motion to remove or modify that proviso. So the rights of the majority are still protected. If they voluntarily agree to a higher threshold for the sake of ensuring a consensus opinion on the issue, they may do so. Where problems occur is when rules are adopted requiring certain classes of otherwise routine business to achieve greater than majority approval.

Under those conditions, relatively small minorities can, and often will, exercise the power to block business, or threaten to do so.

[Josh Martin]

If an organizations by laws do not spell out rules for voting with regards to extraorindary considerations can they requie more than a 2/3 vote (say they want it to be 3/4)? Would that give an overweighted power to the minority? Or As long as the motion was amended requiring a higher vote it would be okay?

There are two methods by which the assembly could raise the voting threshold for a particular motion. I don't recommend either of them, but since you asked...

• The motion may be amended to include a proviso that the motion will only be adopted if a certain threshold is achieved. The motion will still be adopted if the usual threshold is reached, but no action will be taken unless it is adopted by the specified threshold. This requires only a majority vote, but it is problematic because the proviso may be removed (either before or after adoption) through a motion to Amend or to Amend Something Previously Adopted.
• The assembly may adopt a motion to Suspend the Rules so that the motion will only be adopted if a certain threshold is reached. In this case, a 2/3 vote would be required for this.

In my opinion, if an assembly feels it is unwise to proceed with an action without a substantial majority, the better course of action is to simply debate the motion, vote on it, and then if the desired threshold is not reached, use the motion to Reconsider.

If you are asking about requiring a higher voting threshold for a particular class of motions (not just a single motion), the assembly may adopt a special rule of order. This requires a 2/3 vote with previous notice or a vote of a majority of the entire membership.

In either case, this will increase the power of a small minority. The assembly will have to decide if that is desirable.