Breaking a Tie by a chair

[Guest AL]

Our bylaws say that we operate according to Robert's Rules for our committees. One of the committees is chaired by an administrator who is by on the committee by virtue of her position. She is designated as an ex-officio, non-voting. If there is a tie, can she break the tie? If not, how can the tie be broken?

[Chris Harrison]

Our bylaws say that we operate according to Robert's Rules for our committees. One of the committees is chaired by an administrator who is by on the committee by virtue of her position. She is designated as an ex-officio, non-voting. If there is a tie, can she break the tie? If not, how can the tie be broken?

In committees the Chair votes with the other members. However, she does not get a second vote to break the tie.

[Josh Martin]

She is designated as an ex-officio, non-voting.

Do your rules actually say that she's non-voting, or are you just assuming that ex-officio members can't vote? See FAQ #2.

If there is a tie, can she break the tie?

Normally, ex-officio members have the right to vote, and in small committees the chair can vote in all cases. If your rules actually specify that this member is "non-voting" and do not specify an exception for a tie, she cannot vote to break a tie.

If not, how can the tie be broken?

If it's a regular motion, it doesn't need to be. The motion fails because it received less than a majority in the affirmative. If it's an election, you have another round of voting.

[Guest AL]

Do your rules actually say that she's non-voting, or are you just assuming that ex-officio members can't vote? See FAQ #2.

Normally, ex-officio members have the right to vote, and in small committees the chair can vote in all cases. If your rules actually specify that this member is "non-voting" and do not specify an exception for a tie, she cannot vote to break a tie.

If it's a regular motion, it doesn't need to be. The motion fails because it received less than a majority in the affirmative. If it's an election, you have another round of voting.

[Guest Guest]

Our rules says she is non-voting

[Kim Goldsworthy]

Our rules says she is non-voting

Then, if nothing else, your administrator cannot break any tie, since the only way to break a tie is to vote, short of a rule saying otherwise (like, drawing lots). And I am betting you have no such tie-break rule already in place, else you would not have asked a question about tie-break rules.